
Class T',, 2(1 
Boole H^ ife 



Letter Book of Esek Hopkins 

1775-1777 




EsEK Hopkins 
From a contemporary engraving by Thomas Hart 

In the Society's Museum 



THE 

LETTER BOOK 

of 

EsEK Hopkins 

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 

OF THE 

UNITED STATES NAVY 
1773-^777 



Transcribed from the original letter book in the library of the 

Rhode Island Historical Society, with an introduction 

and notes by Alverda S. Beck, A. M. 




PROVIDENCE: 

Printed for the 

Rhode Island Historical Society 

1932 












^ 



Study submitted in partial fulfillment of the require- 
ments for the degree of Master of Arts in the 
Department of History in the Graduate School of 
Brown University. 






PUBLICATION COMMITTEE 



Norman M. Isham, Chairman 
Paul C. Nicholson 
Edward K. Aldrich, Jr. 
William Davis Miller, ex-ofhcio 



PRESS OF 

E. L. FREEMAN COMPANY 

PROVIDENCE 

1932 



INTRODUCTION 



Rhode Island claims much of the credit for the formation of the 
navy of the United Colonies during the Revolution. At a meeting 
of the General Assembly at Providence on the twenty-sixth of August, 
1 775 J it was resolved "that the building and equipping an American 
fleet, as soon as possible, would greatly and essentially conduce to the 
preservation of the lives, liberty and property, of the good people of 
these colonies." For this purpose the delegates who were to represent 
the colony in the Continental Congress in September were instructed 
by this Assembly "to use their whole influence, at the ensuing Con- 
gress, for building, at the Continental expense, a fleet of sufficient 
force, for the protection of these colonies, and for employing them in 
such manner and places as will most effectually annoy our enemies, 
and contribute to the common defence of these colonies. "^ This 
action was doubtless inspired by the success of the state navies which 
had been formed by Rhode Island and some of the other states during 
that summer. Armed vessels fitted out under the direction of the 
Committees of Safety of the Colonies, and several ships authorized 
by General Washington were active in capturing British supply ships. 
When they saw how advantageous these ships had proved in annoying 
the enemy and providing for the defense of the coast, Rhode Islanders 
began to appreciate the increased efficiency that would result from a 
united navy for the whole country. 

The instructions of the Rhode Island delegates were laid before 
Congress on October 3,2 but consideration of them was put off until the 
7th. On that day there was a spirited discussion of the project. 
Many thought it too extensive to be practical and no agreement could 
be reached. 3 Consideration was again deferred, and no action was 
taken on the Rhode Island plan until December. The suggestion had 
aroused interest in naval affairs, however, and in the next few months 
Congress acquired a navy, almost without intending to do so. The 

^Rhode Island Colonial Records, VII, 369. 
Uournals of the Continental Congress, Oct. 3, 1775. 

Hbid., Oct. 7, 1775. See John Adams's Notes of Debates for this date for this 
discussion, Journals of the Continental Congress, III, 485. 

[5I 



suggestion to build a fleet had met with disfavor, because of the 
expense and the time which it would require. Many expected an 
early reconciliation with the mother country and would favor tem- 
porary measures only. Consequently, the suggestion of refitting 
merchant vessels as ships of war did not arouse serious antagonism. 
It was a fleet of this type which was authorized by Congress during 
the fall of 1775. 

On October 5, a letter was read in Congress telling of the saiHng of 
two vessels from England bound for Canada loaded with arms and 
powder. A committee of three was appointed to devise means of inter- 
cepting them. The committee reported on the same day, and Con- 
gress resolved to instruct General Washington to borrow the two armed 
vessels belonging to Massachusetts and send them upon this expedi- 
tion, assisted by vessels from Rhode Island and Connecticut. While 
on this service the vessels were to be on the Continental risk and pay. 
The need of borrowing armed vessels impressed upon Congress the 
necessity of maintaining ships of its own for such purposes. The 
next day this same committee presented another report which was not 
acted upon until the 13th. On October 13, it was resolved that a 
swift sailing vessel be fitted out for a three months' cruise eastward 
to intercept the enemy's supply ships. Silas Deane, John Langdon, 
and Christopher Gadsden were a committee to consider the expense 
and to contract for the fitting out of this vessel and one other. On 
October 30, the number of vessels was increased from two to fovir, and 
four members were added to the committee: Stephen Hopkins, 
Joseph Hewes, Richard Henry Lee, and John Adams. 

For the rest of the year, this committee for fitting out four armed 
vessels was busy refitting merchant ships for war, contracting for 
supplies, formulating rules for the government of the fleet, and 
choosing men and officers. 

The Rhode Island plan was considered again on December 11, 
and a committee of one from each colony was appointed "to devise 
ways and means for furnishing these colonies with a naval armament, 
and report with all convenient speed." Since the first presentation 
of their instructions by the Rhode Island delegates, it had become 
increasingly evident that the war would not be of short duration, and 
the need of ships of war had been demonstrated. Since Congress 
already had a small fleet under its control, the building of armed 
vessels no longer seemed such an extensive undertaking. When the 

16) 



committee reported on the thirteenth of December, it was voted that 
thirteen ships of varying sizes should be built in the shipyards of the 
colonies, under the direction of a committee of one from each colony. 
This made two naval committees: the first, consisting of seven 
members, in charge of fitting out armed vessels; the second, of 
thirteen, in charge of building a fleet. However, since in its mem- 
bership the second committee was practically an enlargement of the 
first, the two worked as one committee in charge of naval affairs in 
the early part of the Revolution. 

On November 2, Congress had granted to the committee for fitting 
out armed vessels ''power to agree with such officers and seamen, as 
are proper to man and command said vessels." In accordance with 
this authority, the committee set to work at once to choose a com- 
mander-in-chief for the fleet, and officers for the vessels. Esek 
Hopkins of Rhode Island was appointed commander-in-chief. Spears, 
in his history of the navy, speaks of the appointment thus : 

''As already noted. Commodore Hopkins received his appointment 
chiefly through the influence of John Adams, and because he was the 
brother of the capable Governor of Rhode Island. The student of 
American history should keep in mind that the colonists were still 
monarchists in 1775, and that they followed the monarchial system of 
appointing favorites to office. That is to say, the man who had what 
politicians call a "pull," got the appointment, regardless, usually, of 
his fitness for the place. Commodore Hopkins had been a brigadier- 
general in the Rhode Island militia by appointment of his brother. 
He had served in various capacities at sea, but it is likely that training 
had made him a soldier rather than a sailor, and no greater mistake 
can be made by executive authority than to appoint a soldier to do a 
sailorman's work."^ 

It is true that Esek Hopkins was serving in the capacity of a soldier 
at the time that he was chosen to command the fleet. He was in 
command of the Rhode Island troops stationed near Newport, but his 
commission had been signed by Nicholas Cooke, s and not by his 
brother, Stephen Hopkins, who was then in Philadelphia. Further- 
more, he had been serving as a military commander only a short time, 
and he had been a sailor nearly all his life. The statement that 
Hopkins had served in various capacities at sea seems slighting. 

*J. R. Spears, The History of Our Navy, I, 49. 
^See Part, II, 2, for this commission. 

1 7) 



Spears would have us believe that this experience had not been 
s^lfficient to justify the appointment of Esek Hopkins as commander- 
in-chief of the fleet. In spite of many similar criticisms, Hopkins 
was probably as well prepared for the position as any man in the 
colonies. His was a seafaring family. Although they were brought 
up on a farm in what is now Scituate, Rhode Island; of the six 
brothers, William, John, Esek, and Samuel became sailors. Stephen, 
the most well-known member of the family, devoted himself to public 
life, but he was interested in commerce, and while he did not go to sea 
himself, he was a part owner in several vessels sailed by his brothers. 
Esek remained on the farm until he was twenty. That year, 1738, 
his father died. In that same year he came to Providence and 
shipped on a vessel. His ability as a sailor must have been outstand- 
ing, for within three years he was advanced to the command of a 
vessel. He was commissioned Captain of the privateer sloop Went- 
worth, 90 tons, on January 27, 1741.6 Newspapers, correspondence, 
and commercial records of the next thirty years contain many 
references to his career. In peace-time he sailed vessels for the 
Browns of Providence, in time of war he commanded privateers. In 
the Seven Years War he achieved recognition in the latter capacity, 
Moses Brown remembering him as the first successful privateer 
commander of this colony during that war. ^ As he approached middle 
age, he would occasionally stay at home for a few years with his 
family on his farm in North Providence, but the life at sea always 
called him back. During the periods at home he often held public 
office, being elected to the legislature many times as a deputy from 
the town of North Providence. » At one time he was a tax assessor, 
at another he served on a school committee. He was sufficiently well 
known in public life to belie the hints that he obtained his military 
appointment in Rhode Island at the outbreak of the Revolution 
through the influence of his brother. His experience with cannon on 
vessels led to his appointment to the command of the battery on the 
hill at Fox Point in the summer of 1775. From this position he was 
appointed brigadier-general of the Rhode Island troops stationed near 
Newport, 9 an office which he held only a short time before he was 

^Notary Public, V, State Archives of Rhode Island. 

^Letter from Moses Brown to Tristam Burges, Providence, Jan. 12, 1836, in the 
Rhode Island Historical Society. 
^ Rhode Island Colonial Records. 
^Oct. 4, 1775. See Part II, 2, commission signed by Nicholas Cooke. 

{8 1 



chosen by the Naval Committee as commander-in-chief of the fleet 
then fitting out. The presence of his brother Stephen on that 
committee doubtless had some influence in the choice, but no one in 
the colonies could have had experience which would have made him 
much better prepared for that office. 

A letter to Esek Hopkins from his brother Stephen in Philadelphia, 
dated November 6, 1775,^° establishes November 5 as the date on 
which the Naval Committee offered the position of commander-in- 
chief of the fleet to Esek Hopkins. Stephen writes: "You will 
perceive by a letter from the Committee, dated yesterday, that they 
have pitched upon you to take the Command of a Small Fleet, which 
they and I hope will be but the beginning of one much larger. '^ This 
letter is accepted as sufficient evidence of the date when Hopkins was 
chosen for the position. In regard to the date of his acceptance, 
however, and the date of his arrival in Philadelphia to undertake the 
duties of his office, there is considerable controversy. Field, in his 
biography of Esek Hopkins, says : 

*'It was while Hopkins was in command of the military force 
stationed at Newport that he received the notice of his appointment 
to the command of the Continental fleet, but it was not until the latter 
part of December that he was relieved of this command. In the mean- 
time the situation at Newport remaining one of grave uncertainty, 
Governor Cooke applied to General Washington for a regiment to 
cooperate with the Rhode Island troops in the defence of the island. 
He also asked that General Charles Lee be sent to take command of 
the post which Hopkins was about to vacate, and on the twenty-first 
of December, General Lee arrived in Providence and immediately 
assumed command of the forces around Newport. During the time 
intervening between Hopkins' departure and the arrival of General 
Lee, Colonel William West held the command of the post. On the 
twenty-second day of December, the day after General Lee assumed 
the command vacated by General Hopkins, Congress confirmed 
the appointment of Esek Hopkins as Commander-in-Chief of the 
fleet to be raised. . . . 

"Hopkins set out for Philadelphia in the early part of January, in 
the sloop ^'Katy/' afterwards called the ''Providence," of the Rhode 
Island navy. This vessel was commanded by captain Abraham 
Whipple, and had also on board a number of seamen who had been 

"Part II, 3. 

{9I 



enlisted in Rhode Island to serve in the fleet. After a voyage en- 
livened by taking a small vessel and three prisoners, the ^'Katy'^ 
arrived in Philadelphia, January 14. Her arrival was duly com- 
municated to Governor Cooke by Samuel Ward, a member of Con- 
gress from Rhode Island, on January 16, who said: 'Our seamen 
arrived here day before yesterday. Those concerned in the naval 
department are highly pleased with them. Their arrival gives fresh 
spirit to the whole fleet.' "^^ 

Examination of the correspondence between Governor Cooke and 
General Washingtoni2 and of the Providence Gazette^^ reveals that 
Lee came to Rhode Island to make arrangements for its defense in 
case of an attack, which was expected. He arrived December 21, 
as Field states, but left for Boston on the 30th. Colonel William 
West, who had been serving as second in command of the troops at 
Newport took over the command when Hopkins left.^'' Field's 
statement that West held the command during the interval between 
Hopkins' departure and Lee's arrival is inconsistent with his later 
statement that Hopkins set out for Philadelphia early in January. 

Some beUeve with Field that Hopkins arrived in Philadelphia on 
the 14th of January. The basis of this belief is, apparently. Ward's 
letter of January 16, already quoted. ^^ However, Ward names no 
vessel ; in fact he does not even say that the seamen arrived in a ship, 
nor does he mention the names of any people. Certainly, this letter 
does not prove when Hopkins arrived. Field took it for granted that 
the ship mentioned was the Katy, commanded by Abraham Whipple. 
That is scarcely possible, for Whipple had sailed in the Katy from 
Rhode Island November 26,^^ carrying seamen engaged by Brigadier- 
General Hopkins. 17 He arrived in Philadelphia December 5.18 It 



"E. Field, Esek Hopkins, 79-81. 

i2Force, American Archives, 4th, IV, 298, 356, 366; Rhode Island Colonial 
Records, VII, 444-446. 

^^Providence Gazette, Dec. 23, 30, 1775. 

i^A-pparently the command devolved upon West, because he was second in 
command, for there is no known evidence of a new appointment. West resigned 
early in 1776. Rhode Island Colonial Records, VII, 456, 502. 

i^W. R. Staples, Rhode Island in the Continental Congress, 43. 

i^Letter from Nicholas Cooke to S. Hopkins and S. Ward, Nov. 27, 1775, Staples, 
op. cit., 48. 

i^Order to Abraham Whipple from Nicholas Cooke, Nov. 21, 1775, Collections of 
the Rhode Island Historical Society, VI, 135. 

i^Letter from the Connecticut delegates in Congress to Governor Trumbull, 
Dec. 5, 177s, Collections of the Connecticut Historical Society, II, 330. 

{10) 



had already been voted in Congress on the second to engage Whipple 
and his vessel in the Continental service. On December 6, Congress 
resolved that the three prisoners taken by Whipple on his way to 
Philadelphia be turned over to the Committee of Safety of Penn- 
sylvania. These must have been the three prisoners referred to by 
Field. The Naval Committee appointed Whipple Captain of the 
Columbus. ^^ He probably did not return to Rhode Island, and could 
not have been in command of any vessel sailing from Rhode Island to 
Philadelphia "in the early part of January," for on January 6, he 
was ordered by the Naval Committee to place himself with the ship 
Columbus under the command of Esek Hopkins. 20 In a journal kept 
by an ofl&cer on the Andrew Doria, mention is made on January 17, 
of 40 men for the fleet brought from Rhode Island in the Fly.^^ 
This probably explains Ward's reference to the arrival of seamen on 
January 14. 

There is no known document telling the exact date of Esek 
Hopkins' arrival in Philadelphia, but he was certainly there on 
December 2, the date of a letter from Nathaniel Mumford, Thomas 
Greene, and Gideon Mumford to Governor Cooke. 22 The following 
quotation is from that letter: "As Capt. Whipple is not yet arrived, 
we can say nothing respecting his being taken into Continental 
service. General Hopkins, this morning, desired us to acquaint you 
that 'tis yet a matter of doubt whether he engages in the service here 
or not. He seems to think the encouragement given to the seamen 
so small that a sufficient number cannot be raised in time to do any- 
thing to purpose this season, and that if he does not engage in this 
service, he will set out for home as soon as his son and young Mr. 
Jenckes are well of the small pox. They were inoculated last Wed- 
nesday, and are still about the streets." The Wednesday referred 
to as the date when Hopkins' son was inoculated was November 29. 
If they journeyed to Philadelphia together, we can safely say that 
Esek was in Philadelphia, November 29. From the tone of the letter, 
it would seem that he intended to remain for a while in Philadelphia, 
and apparently would not return to Rhode Island if he decided to 



^^Journals of the Continental Congress, Dec. 22, 1775. 

20" Rhode Island Historical Society MS," XIII, 11. 

2^R. W. Neeser, ed., The Despatches of Molyneux Shuldham, 275. 

^^Collections of the Rhode Island Historical Society, VI, 138. 

{ill 



accept the appointment in the fleet. This letter also proves that 
Hopkins did not make the trip with Whipple. 

Mumford, Greene, and Mumford, serving as a Treasury Com- 
mittee from Rhode Island, were in Philadelphia to collect payment 
from Congress for expenditures made by Rhode Island in the Con- 
tinental cause. Later in the same letter they tell Governor Cooke: 
*'We wish we could acquaint your honor of the time when we shall 
set out, but that period we fear is yet at some distance. We shall, 
however, do all in our power to expedite the business we came upon." 
If they were in such a hurry to return to Rhode Island, they probably 
would have left Philadelphia soon after the Rhode Island claims were 
settled by Congress, which was on December 12. In the report of 
this committee to the General Assembly at Providence, January 8, 
1776,23 mention is made of the receipt of ''a draught drawn by General 
Hopkins, for £150, lawful money, on Messrs. Hillegas and Clymer, 
Continental treasurers, which was also paid to us; and we have 
paid that sum also into the general treasury . . ." If this com- 
mittee left Philadelphia as soon as their business was completed, they 
must have received the draught drawn by Hopkins before the middle 
of December. This is merely additional evidence that Hopkins was 
there at that time, and did not remain in Rhode Island until 
January. 

There is one more occasion in the early part of December which is 
of particular interest to us in this study. This is the flag-raising on 
board the flagship Alfred by John Paul Jones, which is supposed to 
have occurred on December 3. The evidence for this date is found 
in a letter to the Earl of Dartmouth from "B. P." of Maryland, 
December 20, 1775.^* This a long account by a loyaUst describing 
conditions in the colonies. In regard to naval affairs, the writer says: 
''their harbours by the spring will swarm with privateers. An 
Admiral is appointed, a court established, and the 3d instant, the 
Continental flag on board the Black Prince, opposite Philadelphia 
was hoisted. Many of the Captains of those vessels, in the last war, 
proved their intrepidity to the world by their prizes, and some of 
them have already taken many valuable prizes which Government had 
ordered to Boston, and thereby must have much distressed the 
troops . . ." The Black Prince was one of the merchant vessels 

^^Rhode Island Colonial Records, VII, 411. 
24Force, American Archives, 4th, IV, 360. 

1 12) 



fitted out as a ship of war by the Naval Committee and re-named the 
Alfred. It became the flagship of the fleet. This flag-raising was 
undoubtedly the one which Jones described without giving the date. 
There has been considerable argument about the flag referred to in 
the letter as the Continental flag. Some insist that this term was 
used in referring to several different flags at that time, but they fail 
to produce evidence in support of this theory. According to their 
claim, the flag mentioned above may or may not have been the so 
called Great Union flag. However, since the Great Union flag was 
certainly in use in the fleet a month later, 2 5 it is likely that it was the 
one used at this ceremony of the commissioning of the fleet. Captain 
Byron McCandless of the U. S. Navy is searching for definite proof 
of his claim that the Great Union flag was first flown on the Alfred 
on December 3. Those who wish to prove .that the first use of the 
Great Union flag was by the army besieging Boston, January i, 1776, 
claim that the flag flown on December 3 was the personal flag of the 
commander, rather than the Great Union. In accordance with naval 
custom, Jones would not have hoisted the personal standard of the 
commander before raising the ensign. Likewise, in accordance with 
naval usage, Jones, a lieutenant, would not have been raising a flag 
at all, without the presence of either the captain of the vessel or the 
commodore of the fleet. Therefore, if the date of December 3 can 
be trusted as authentic, either Captain Dudley Saltonstall or Esek 
Hopkins must have been on board the Alfred on that date. Captain 
Saltonstall wrote to the Marine Committee on the 7th of December 
from New London,^^ accepting the command which had been offered 
him in a letter of the 27th -f of November. He did not arrive in 
Philadelphia until December 23. 2 ^ Consequently, it must have been 
Esek Hopkins who was present at the flag raising. As we already 
know from the Mumford, Greene, and Mumford letter that he was in 
Philadelphia on December 2, and had not then made up his mind to 
join the fleet, it is quite possible that he came to his decision to accept 
the command on that day, and went on board on the third, which was 
Sunday. 



25The report of a British spy, Jan. 4, 1776, giving an account of the sailing of the 
fleet, describes the flag as " EngHsh Colours but more Striped, "Neeser, ed., op. cit., 
120 

^^Collections of the Connecticut Historical Society, II, 332. 

"Letter from Silas Deane to Mrs. Deane, Dec. 27, 1775, Collections of the Con- 
necticut Historical Society, II, 347. 

1 13} 



Still more information in regard to the whereabouts of Esek 
Hopkins at this time can be found in the reports of British spies who 
were well informed concerning the various projects on foot in the 
colonies. One of them reported on the 12th of December from 
Philadelphia: "Five Vessels getting ready with the greatest dis- 
patch, . . . besides a New England Sloop of 14 Guns, lying 
before the Town, and had brought Officers for the other Vessels; the 
Commodore who commands this Fleet is from Rhode Island, his name 
is Hopkins. "28 Those who claim that Esek Hopkins went to Phila- 
delphia in January say that this reference to Hopkins indicates 
merely that he had been chosen, and does not refer to his physical 
presence. Others think it more natural from the wording to infer 
that he was present, for a spy would be less likely to inform of the 
appointment than of the actual presence. The orders issued by the 
Marine Committee early in January to the captains of the vessels, 
telling them to place themselves under the command of Esek Hopkins, 
are also a fairly clear indication that he was on duty at that time. 

In accordance with the instructions of Congress, the first Naval 
Committee purchased and fitted out four merchantmen, which were 
renamed the Alfred, the Columbus, the Andrew Doria, and the Cabot. 
On the twenty-second of December, the committee laid before 
Congress a list of the officers which they had appointed by the 
authority granted them on November 2. Most of our naval historians 
have attached a great deal of importance to the date, December 22, 
1775, as the date when the officers for the fleet were appointed, but 
the Journals of the Continental Congress for that day seem to indicate 
that the committee merely reported the list of appointments which 
they had been given the power to make. Several of the officers were 
already on duty, and some had commissions issued before that date. 

In addition to these four vessels, several smaller ones were added 
to the fleet before it sailed. The sloop Katy, which had arrived from 
Rhode Island with seamen for the fleet early in December, was taken 
into Continental service and renamed the Providence. The sloop 
Hornet and the schooner Wasp from Baltimore joined the fleet before 
it sailed. These with the Fly, which apparently was sent to Rhode 
Island for seamen and arrived in Philadelphia January 14, made the 
total number of ships in the fleet eight, all m^ade-over merchant 
vessels. 



28Neeser, ed., op. cit., 43. 

{ 14 1 



Early in January, the fleet was nearly ready to sail, and the Naval 
Committee issued its orders to Commodore Hopkins. There are 
two sets of orders dated January 5, 1776, and signed by several 
members of the cormnittee. One of these letters contains general 
orders in regard to such matters as the management of the ships, 
reports to Congress, the feeding of the men, and the treatment of 
prisoners. 29 The other contains specific directions concerning the 
expedition on which the fleet was about to sail. 2° The Committee 
wrote: 

"America: 
To Esek Hopkins, Esquire, 

Commander in Chief of the Fleet of the United Colonies. 

Sir, 

The United Colonies directed by principles of just and 
necessary preservation against the oppressive and cruel 
System of the British Administration whose \iolent and 
hostile proceedings by Sea and land against these Un- 
offending Colonies, have rendered it an indispensable duty 
to God, their Country and Posterity to prevent by all means 
in their Power the ravage, desolation and ruin that is in- 
tended to be fixed on North America. As a part and a most 
important part of defence, the Continental Congress have 
judged it necessary to fit out several Armed Vessels which 
they have put under your Command having the strongest 
rehance on your Virtuous Attachment to the great cause of 
iVmerica, and that by your Valour, Skill and diUgence, 
seconded by the Officers and Men under your Cormnand our 
imnatural Enemies may meet with all possible distress on the 
sea. For that purpose you are instructed mth the utmost 
diligence to proceed with the said Fleet to Sea and if the 
Winds and Weather vnll possible admit of it to proceed 
directly for Chesepeak Bay in Virginia and when nearly 
arrived there you will send forward a small swift saihng 
Vessel to gain intelligence of the Enemies Situation and 
Strength. If by such Intelligence you find that they are not 



29Part II, 5. 

30Not found among the Hopkins Papers. 



{15I 



greatly superiour to your own you are immediately to Enter 
the said bay search out and attack, take or destroy all the 
Naval force of our Enemies that you may find there. If you 
should be so fortunate as to execute this business successfully 
in Virginia you are then to proceed immediately to the 
Southward and make yourself Master of such forces as the 
Enemy may have both in North and South CaroHna in such 
manner as you may think most prudent from the intelligence 
you shall receive; either by dividing your Fleet or keeping it 
together. 

''Having compleated your Business in the Carolina's you 
are without delay to proceed Northward directly to Rhode 
Island, and attack, take and destroy all the Enemies Naval 
force that you may find there. You are also to seize and 
make prize of all such Transport Ships and other Vessels as 
may be found carrying Supplies of any kind to or any way 
aiding or assisting our Enemies. You will dispose of all the 
Men you make prisoners in such manner as you may judge 
most safe for North America and will least Retard the service 
you are upon. If you should take any Ships or other 
Vessels that are fit to be Armed and Manned for the Service 
of the United Colonies, you will make use of every method 
for procuring them to be thus equipped. You will also 
appoint proper Officers for carrying this Matter into execu- 
tion, and to Command said Ships as soon as they can be 
made ready for the Sea. For this purpose you will apply 
to the several Assemblies, Conventions and Committees of 
Safety and desire them in the name of the Congress to aid 
and assist you by every way and means in their pov/er for the 
execution of this whole Service. 

"Nothwithstanding these particular Orders, which 'tis 
hoped you will be able to execute, if bad Winds or Stormy 
Weather, or any other unforeseen accident or disaster 
disable you so to do. You are then to follow such Courses 
as your best Judgment shall Suggest to you as most useful 
to the American Cause and to distress the Enemy by all 
means in your power. 

"You are to consider these as your instructions until you 
shall receive further or other Orders from the Continental 

{i6l 



Congress or Committee of Congress appointed for such 
purpose. 

"You are also authorized to draw on the Continental 
Treasurers wherever you may be for such Sums as are 
absolutely necessary for the use of the Fleet under your 
Command, and such drafts shall be duly honored. 

"Given under our hands at Philadelphia, Jany 5th 1776. 

By order of Congress. 

Step Hopkins 
Chris Gadsden 
A true Copy Silas Deane 

pr Saml Lyon Secy to the Joseph Hewes"" 

Commr in Chief. 

For some time it had been the intention of the Naval Committee to 
direct the fleet which it was fitting out against Lord Dunmore, who 
was causing considerable annoyance in Chesapeake Bay, ravaging 
the coast of Virginia throughout the fall and winter of 1775. The 
length of time necessary for preparing these vessels, however, de- 
stroyed any possibility of a surprise attack. As early as December 
12, a British spy's report contains the information: "there are great 
preparations making at Philadelphia to attack Lord Dunmore; Five 
Vessels getting ready with the greatest dispatch . . ."^2 and 
later, when the fleet was ready to sail, January 4, 1776: ". . . I 
believe they will pay Lord Dunmore a Visit soon. . ."^3 The 
correspondence between Christopher Gadsden of South Carolina and 
Esek Hopkins in January, 1776,34 also reveals that these vessels were 
intended for service in the South. An undated letter from Phila- 
delphia, written apparently at about the same time as Hopkins' 
orders, directs the placing of a look-out at Cape Henry to be ready to 
give the fleet information, and the placing of 200 riflemen in a con- 
venient place to be ready to be taken on board the fleet to assist in 
the attack. 3 5 



^Uournals of the Continental Congress, May 8, 1776. 
32Neeser, ed., op. cit., 43. 
^^Ibid., 120. 
34PartII, 8, 12. 
35Part II, 7. 

{17I 



The officers and seamen in Philadelphia were ordered on board the 
ships on January 4,^6 and the Alfred, the Columbus, the Andrew 
Doria, and the Cahot sailed down the river to Liberty Island." Here 
they were forced to wait because of the ice until January 17, when 
they were able to run down a little further to Reedy Island, ^s There 
was still so much ice, however, that they had to stop again. While 
they were waiting for the ice to break up, additional supplies were 
brought by land in wagons and loaded upon the ships.39 Here, too, 
they were joined by the sloop Providence and the Fly. On the nth 
of February the fleet sailed down to Cape Henlopen, where it was 
joined by the Hornet and Wasp from Baltimore. ^° It was not until 
February 17 that the squadron finally got to sea.^i 

By this time Hopkins had decided not to proceed directly south- 
ward as he had been ordetjed. He may have thought the British 
force too strong in that region, where his appearance was expected. 
Perhaps he realized that his made-over vessels and untrained men 
would have little chance of success in attacking a British fleet with 
well-disciplined, experienced crews. The weather was unfavorable 
and the southern coast was dangerous. Undoubtedly the sickness 
in the fleet had some influence in his resolve to sail to a more favorable 
climate. At any rate, he took advantage of the clause in his orders, 
allowing him discretionary powers, and ordered his captains to 
rendezvous at Abacco, one of the Bahama Islands. ^^ jjis purpose in 
going to the Bahamas was to seize the large supply of munitions 
belonging to the Crown, and stored in the forts on the island of New 
Providence. That the colonies were interested in getting possession 
of these stores is shown in the Journals of the Continental Congress, 
November 29, 1775, where a committee was instructed to "take 
measures for securing and bringing] away the said powder ..." 
Such a project was not included in Esek Hopkins' orders, however, 
and he had apparently never been instructed to undertake the 
enterprise, for it is likely that evidence of such instructions, if there 



36A copy of the order of the Naval Committee is found in Neeser, op. cit., 124. 

37 Journal kept by an officer on the Andrew Doria, Ibid., 275. 

^mid. 

39PartII, 16. 

^oNeeser, ed., op. cit., 275. 

*iPart I, Letter from Esek Hopkins to John Hancock, April 8, 1776. 

■^^Part I, "Orders given the Several Captains . . . Febry. 1776." 

1 18 1 



ERRATUM 

On page 19 line 15 of the introduction to The Letter Book 
of Esek Hopkins read Montagu instead of Montgomery, 



had been any, would have been brought out later when he was 
questioned in regard to his failure to obey his orders. 

Whatever may have been his authority, Hopkins set out with the 
whole fleet on February 17, for New Providence to take possession 
of the warlike stores of which the Colonies were in dire need. On 
the second night out, the Hornet and Fly were lost sight of ;^3 other- 
wise the cruise was uneventful. The fleet reached Abacco the first 
day of March and started preparations for the attack. ^^ Two small 
sloops belonging to New Providence were captured, pilots were 
obtained from them, and the boats, themselves, used for transporting 
marines.''^ On March 3, these two sloops, accompanied by the sloop 
Providence and schooner Wasp, landed 200 marines and 50 sailors 
at the eastern end of the island of New Providence, while the rest of 
the fleet stayed out of sight behind a small island opposite the town 
of Nassau. 4° The marines marched toward Fort Montgomery, a 
small fort guarding the eastern entrance to the harbor. The garrison 
fired several shots, which did no damage, then spiked the guns and 
withdrew to Fort Nassau at the other end of the town. The invaders 
entered the fort, found the cannon Httle damaged, and spent the 
night there.^^ That night Commodore Hopkins heard that the 
garrision of Fort Nassau consisted of about 200 men, all inhabitants. 
He sent them a manifesto which declared that the purpose of his 
attack was to secure the military supplies, and offered safety to the 
inhabitants and their possessions if they did not oppose him.^^ This 
had the desired effect, for when the marines advanced to the fort the 
next morning, the Governor was practically alone. Unfortunately, 
during the night, the Governor had managed to send away 150 barrels 
of powder, which was the article most necessary to the Americans, 
but there was still a good supply of that necessity remaining, as well 
as a large quantity of cannon and other stores. All these had been 
taken without bloodshed, indeed without the firing of a single shot 
by the attacking party. The fleet now sailed around into the harbor 
of the town and began the task of loading the supplies on board the 

^3Part I, Letter from Hopkins to Hancock, April 8, 1776. 
^^Neeser, ed., op. cit., 275. 

^Ibid.; Journal of Lieutenant Trevett. Rhode Island Historical Magazine, July, 
1885. 
^Hhid.; Hopkins' report to Hancock. 

4^ Journal of Lieutenant Trevett, Rhode Island Historical Magazine, July, 1885. 
^^Copy of this manifesto, Part I, March 3, 1776. 

1 19) 



ships. Although these made-over merchant vessels had much room 
for cargoes, so great was the amount to be carried home, that Hopkins 
found it necessary to commandeer a large sloop, the Endeavor, to the 
owner of which he promised payment for hire as well as the safe 
return of his vessel. While the fleet was still at New Providence, 
the Fly appeared, and gave an account of how "she got foul of the 
Hornet and carried away her Boom and head of her Mast," which 
made it necessary for the Hornet to put in for a port on the Continent. *' 

In the meantime, the sickness prevalent when the cruise started 
increased, for many of the men contracted fever while at the island. 
Consequently, it was a poorly manned and heavily laden fleet that 
set out for New England on March 17. Besides the valuable suppHes, 
several important prisoners were taken back; the Governor, the 
Lieutenant Governor, and a royal tax collector, ^o 

For over two weeks the fleet sailed northward. The weather was 
bad a large part of the time, but the vessels managed to remain 
together, with the exception of the schooner Wasp, which disappeared 
March 24.^1 On April 4, the fleet had reached the eastern end of 
Long Island, where they captured a British schooner, the Hawke of 
6 guns. The next day another British vessel, the bomb brig Bolton 
of 8 guns was captured, and two merchant vessels bound from New 
York to London were taken as prizes. ^^ 

Soon after midnight on the morning of April 6, a strange vessel was 
sighted nearby. The fleet bore down upon it and the Cabot came 
alongside and found it to be the British sloop of war Glasgow of 24 
guns commanded by Captain Tyringham Howe. The Cabot ex- 
changed shots with it for some time, but was badly damaged and 
withdrew for a while, leaving the Alfred to bear the brunt of the battle 
until her wheel rope and blocks were shot away. The battle lasted 
for nearly three hours, with the other ships in the fleet firing whenever 
they could get into position. ^^ Although the Glasgow was far superior 
to any of the vessels in Hopkins' fleet, the combined strength of the 
latter should have facilitated her capture. As it was, she managed 



^^Part I, Letter from Hopkins to Hancock, April 8, 1776. 

^^Neeser, ed., op. cit., 277-285. Notice of the arrival of the Wasp in Phila- 
delphia is found in the Providence Gazette, April 13, 1776. 
52Part I, Hopkins' report to Hancock, April 8, 1776. 
^Hhid.; Neeser, ed., op. cit., 287. 



{20} 



to escape, badly damaged and fled toward Newport, followed by the 
American fleet, until, at six o'clock, fearing the whole British fleet 
might be aroused, Hopkins gave the signal for giving over the chase. 
Only the Glasgow's tender was taken. The American loss on board 
the Alfred was six killed and six wounded; on board the Cabot four 
killed and seven wounded, the wounded including the Captain, John 
Burroughs Hopkins, son of the Commodore; and one man wounded 
on the Columbus. '^^ The British vessel was so badly damaged that 
it was unfit for the service it was on, but it lost only one man killed 
and three wounded. ^^ 

Later, the officers of the American fleet were severely criticized for 
the failure to take the Glasgow. Some excuse can be found for them 
in the fact that the Americans were unused to naval warfare. Their 
Vessels were heavily laden and difficult to manoeuvre, while the 
British vessel was built for speed. Furthermore, in the darkness it 
was difficult to see when the enemy altered her course. ^^ Their 
number, which was considered the reason the Americans should have 
succeeded, was apparently one reason why they did not, for they found 
it hard to engage the same vessel and keep out of each other's w^ay. 

The fleet arrived at New London the morning of April 8," and 
Hopkins sent his report to John Hancock, President of the Continental 
Congress. The letter was read in Congress April i6, and it was voted 
that the secretary publish an extract of it. Practically the entire 
report was priated in the newspapers throughout the colonies, in 
accordance with the pohcy of pubb'shing accounts of successful 
ventures for the encouragement of the rebellion. The people were 
enthusiastic over the capture of the suppHes, and they were very 
proud of the American fleet. John Hancock, himself, wrote a letter 
to Hopkins, April 17, congratulating him in the name of Congress on 
the success of the expedition. ^^ 

Hospital arrangements were made for the sick and wounded. A 
total of 202 men, unfit for the servdce, were landed there. ^9 This left 
the fleet too poorly manned to sail. Since General Washington was 



s^Part I, Hopkins' report to Hancock, April 8, 1776. 

s^Howe's report of the battle, Neeser, ed., op. cit., 181. 

^^Part II, 30, Letter from Abraham Whipple to Esek Hopkins, April 30, 1776. 

"Neeser, ed., op. cit., 291. 

^Force, American Archives, 4th, V, 966. 

ssPart I, Letter from Esek Hopkins to John Hancock, May i, 1776. 

{21] 



then in New London, en route from Boston to New York, Hopkins 
applied to him for the loan of enough soldiers from the army to man 
the vessels. About 170 men were enlisted from the army by Silas 
Talbot and taken on board the ships, ^o 

Many of the cannon and other miUtary supplies brought from 
New Providence were unloaded at New London. While the fleet 
was still in that harbor, Hopkins was informed of the need of cannon 
at Newport, and immediately sent the Cahot to deliver ten guns at 
that place." Narragansett Bay had long been a favorite rendezvous 
of British fleets and there were still some ships of war there. Hop- 
kins' next objective was the clearing of the British ships out of the 
bay, and the delivering of 16 more cannon for the protection of 
Newport. His fleet sailed from New London April 19, but the Alfred 
ran ashore near Fisher's Island. ^^ xhis delayed the fleet until the 24th, 
allowing the British plenty of time to leave Newport. ^^ 

Hopkins arrived in Providence, April 26. Here also a large 
number of sick were landed, but, with the men who had been 
borrowed from General Washington, the ships were stiU fairly well 
manned and Hopkins began to procure provisions for a three or four 
months' cruise. ^^ Unfortunately, these preparations were scarcely 
under way when General Washington requested that the soldiers on 
board the fleet be sent to New York. Hopkins had to comply, 
although the loss of these men rendered the ships useless. ^^ All plans 
for an expedition by the whole fleet had to be abandoned, for men 
were lacking to sail the vessels. It was as Hopkins had feared the 
December previous when he was trying to make up his mind whether to 
accept the position. He thought ''the encouragement given to the 
seamen so small that a sufiicient number" could not be raised. ^^ 
There were plenty of seamen in Rhode Island, but they preferred to 
ship on the privateers which offered one-half of all prizes taken, rather 
than on the Continental vessels where they would receive only one- 



60" Rhode Island Historical Society MS," III, 126, Letter from Silas Talbot to 
Theodore Foster, May 26, 1788. 

6iPart I, Orders to Elisha Hinman, April 16, 1776. 

62Part I, Letter from Hopkins to his brother Stephen, April 21, 1776. 

63Part I, Letter from Hopkins to Hancock, May i, 1776. 

fisPart I, Letter from Hopkins to Washington, May i, 1776. 
66Mumford, Greene and Mumford Letter of Dec. 2, already quoted. Collections 
oj the Rhode Island Historical Society, VI, 138. 

{"1 



third. Many of the sailors who had enhsted in the fleet deserted 
to the privateers when they had the opportunity. The sickness 
which had been troubUng the fleet made men timid of joining that 
service. Some of the sick returned to the fleet after their recovery, 
but not enough to make up the original number. Hopkins had hoped 
that the receipt of the cannon would influence the rulers of the colony 
of Rhode Island to grant him a sufficient number of soldiers from the 
army, 67 but he was disappointed. 

From this time, the history of the American Navy during the 
Revolution consists of the exploits of individual ships, or of two or 
three ships together, acting rather as privateers than as an American 
fleet. Never again did the whole fleet get to sea together. On 
May 1 2th, Hopkins ordered the commanders of the Andrew Doria 
and the Cabot to take enough men out of the Alfred and the Fly to 
man their vessels and proceed on a cruise for three or four weeks for 
the purpose of taking prizes. ^^ This is the type of expedition with 
which he was forced to be satisfied for the rest of his command. 
His letters show how despondent he was because of his inability to 
get all the vessels to sea. 

Trouble soon arose over the disposition of the cannon brought from 
New Providence. The colonies which did not re;ceive a share of the 
booty were jealous. Hopkins was blamed for showing favoritism 
toward New England, and especially toward his native colony, Rhode 
Island. On the i8th of May, two gentlemen from Philadelphia 
arrived in Providence with an order of Congress for twenty of the 
cannon brought from New Providence to be sent to Philadelphia 
immediately . 63 Rhode Island refused to give up that number out of 
the twenty-six cannon which it had received. A messenger was sent 
to represent to Congress conditions in Rhode Island to show the 
need of keeping the cannon. '^o Hopkins, himself, felt they could not 
be spared. While waiting for an answer from Congresss, Hopkins 
sent the Philadelphia committee to Governor Trumbull of Con- 
necticut with an order that twenty of the cannon left there be sent 
to Philadelphia. 7^ The committee had no better luck at New 



"Part I, Letter from Hopkins to Hancock, May i, 1776. 
68Part I, Orders to Nicholas Biddle and Elisha Hinman, May 12, 1776. 
^^ Journals of ike Continental Congress, May 7, 1776. 

'0" Memorial of the Colony of Rhode Island, to the Continental Congress,' 
Rhode Island Colonial Records, VII, 550. 

'iPart I, Letters from Hopkins to N. Shaw and Gov, Trumbull, May 21, 1776. 

{ 23 ) 



London, for Governor Trumbull felt that the cannon were needed for 
the defense of the harbor. The matter was finally settled by a resolu- 
tion of Congress on May 30, ordering six cannon to be sent from 
Newport and fourteen from New London. It was not until June 14 
that Hopkins ordered the commander of the Fly to take the six guns 
from Newport to New York, and the Fly was unable to make the 
journey for some time. There was even more difficulty in getting 
the cannon from New London. ^2 'pjig resolution of Congress for the 
delivery of twenty guns to the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania 
had been made on May 7. The delay is typical of Revolutionary lack 
of cooperation. It was a matter over which Hopkins had no control, 
but for which he received a measure of blame. 

Another of the troubles which beset the Commander-in-Chief, arose 
from the discontent among the officers and seamen. Inactivity and 
delay in receiving their pay made the sailors restless and quarrelsome. 
Hopkins wrote to his brother Stephen : ''. . . the inattention to 
business of most of the Officers, and an expectation of getting higher 
Stations in the new Ships has as I think been some hindrance to 
getting the Fleet ready to Sail so soon as otherwise it Might."" 
Hopkins w^as disappointed in his officers. They did not cooperate, 
for they were jealous of one another's rank. Some had obtained their 
positions through influence in Congress, and since they expected the 
same influence to procure further advancement for them, they felt 
it unnecessary to work for a higher rank. Some even lacked courage. 
Hopkins realized that the officers had friends to protect them, and 
hesitated to order courts-martial, although in some cases they seemed 
necessary. In the same letter to his brother, he wrote: "I wish to 
God and for the good of my Country that no Officer in the Fleet 
depended on any Friend, but their own Merit." Criticism of the 
bravery of the officers in the affair of the Glasgow led to two courts- 
martial. Captain Abraham Whipple, of the Columbus, requested a 
court-martial in regard to his conduct in that affair, ^'^ for there had 
been considerable gossip in the fleet concerning his part in that 
unfortunate battle. The court-martial was held May 6, and Whipple 
was exonerated as far as his bravery was concerned, and was blamed 



72Part II, 45- 
73PartI, Junes, 1776. 
74Part II, 30. 



{24 



only for lack of judgment. "^ A court-martial was ordered on John 
Hazard, Captain of the sloop Providence, by request of his brother 
ofl&cers. On May 8, he was convicted of not obeying orders, em- 
bezzlement, and failure to do his duty on the night of the engagement 
with the Glasgow, and was ordered to give up his commission. ^^ 

Although Hopkins had been appointed Commander-in-Chief of the 
fleet, the Marine Committee did not leave the direction of the fleet 
entirely to him. It was constantly sending him orders for various 
expeditions to be engaged in by the whole fleet, or small ser\dces to 
be performed by individual vessels. The length of time necessary 
for a letter to reach Providence from Philadelphia caused great 
confusion. By the time an order was received by Hopkins, the vessels 
which the Committee expected to carry out the order might be out 
for a month's cruise. By the time Hopkins' answer had reached 
Philadelphia, and a new order had been sent to Providence, 
the situation would be entirely different. With the juggling 
of men and supplies from one ship to another, necessary in 
getting some of the vessels fitted for sea, considerable tim.e passed. 
To add to the confusion, new orders arrived before the old could be 
carried out, or a letter countermanding an order would arrive just 
after the ships had put to sea and could not be recalled. The Marine 
Committee expected all its orders to be carried out immediately. 
If they were not, the Commander-in-Chief was blamed. 

Hopkins was helpless. He could not get the fleet sufficiently well 
manned to leave Rhode Island, and yet the longer he stayed there, 
the more he was criticized. Some considered him a coward, or at 
least lax in his duty, for staying in his native port. The officers did 
not treat each other with civility, nor did they have proper respect 
for the Commodore. Many of them felt responsible directly to 
Congress rather than to Hopkins. Some of the discontented sent in 
complaints to the Committee, criticizing both officers and Commander. 

The enthusiasm over the successful New Providence expedition 
soon wore off. The inactivity of the navy in the month following its 
return disappointed the people who had expected the fleet to achieve 
the impossible. The representatives in Congress began to feel that 
this navy which they had created had not carried out their instruc- 



''^Providence Gazette, May i8, 1776. 
^^Force, American Archives, 4th, VI, 553. 

{25) 



tions. The question soon arose whether Esek Hopkins had obeyed 
his orders. On Saturday, May 4, Congress resolved, "That the 
marine committee be directed to lay on the table, on Monday next, 
the instructions given by the naval committee to Commodore 
Hopkins, upon his leaving this port." The instructions were read 
May 8, and were referred to a committee of seven, which was also to 
consider what was to be done with the prisoners who had been 
brought from New Providence. This same committee was directed 
by Congress on the 22nd of May '' to enquire how far Commodore 
Hopkins has complied with the said instructions, and if, upon enquiry, 
they shall find he has departed therefrom, to examine in to the 
occasion thereof." The committee was also given power to send for 
witnesses and papers. Apparently, this committee took no action. 

On the 13th of June, however, the Marine Committee, itself, 
reported to Congress that complaints had been made against Com- 
modore Hopkins, Captain Saltonstall, and Captain Whipple, "for 
breach of orders, and other mal-practices." Congress directed the 
Marine Committee to inform the Commodore and the two captains 
of the complaints, and to order them to come to Philadelphia imme- 
diately, to answer for their conduct. Hopkins received the letter 
from the Marine Committee, June 20, and began preparations for 
the trip. He wrote to Captain Nicholas Biddle, commander of the 
Andrew Doria, then at Newport, informing him that the command 
of the fleet now devolved upon him, as the oldest remaining officer, 
and ordering him to undertake no expedition until he received further 
orders from Congress. '^^ Hopkins must have set out within a week, 
for Governor Cooke wrote to General Ward, June 27, 1776, informing 
him that the three officers had been called to Philadelphia and that 
Captain Biddle now commanded the fleet, but was not. then in 
Providence. Governor Cooke continued: "In this Circumstance I 
thought it prudent to open your letter to the Commodore in order to 
give every Assistance in my Power in the publick Defence. "^^ Cap- 
tain Biddle, himself, wrote to Esek Hopkins June 28, addressing the 
letter to Philadelphia. ^9 

The complaints against the two captains were settled first. On 
July 2, Congress was informed that Captain Whipple and Captain 

"Part I, Letter from Esek Hopkins to Nicholas Biddle, June 20, 1776. 
'8" Revolutionary Correspondence of Governor Nicholas Cooke," in the Pro- 
ceedings of the American Antiquarian Society, October 1926, Vol. 36, Part II, 328. 
79Part II, 46. 

{ 26 1 



Saltonstall had come to Philadelphia in obedience to its order. 
Congress directed the Marine Committee to enquire into the com- 
plaints against the two officers and report. The Journals of the 
Continental Congress for July ii, 1776 show the following entry: 

"The Marine Committee in pursuance of the order of Congress, 
reported that they have called before them, divers of the inferior 
officers, belonging to the ships Alfred and Columbus, and having 
heard their complaints against the Captains, Saltonstal and Whipple, 
in their presence, are of opinion, that the charge against Captain 
Saltonstal does not appear to the committee to be well founded, and 
that the charge against Captain Whipple amounts to nothing more 
than a rough, indeHcate mode of behaviour to his marine officers; 
Whereupon, 

^^ Resolved, That the Marine Committee be directed to order the 
Captains, Saltonstal and Whipple, to repair to their respective 
commands; and that it be recommended to Captain Whipple to 
cultivate harmony with his officers." 

The next day, July 12, Congress discharged the committee of 
seven, which had been appointed the 8th of May to consider the 
orders given to Esek Hopkins. The matter originally referred to 
that committee was turned over to the Marine Committee, which 
was directed to consider how far the Commodore had comphed with 
his instructions, and also to enquire into the complaints reported to 
Congress by the Marine Committee, June 13. The Committee did 
not reach a conclusion in regard to Hopkins' conduct as quickly as 
it had on that of Saltonstall and Whipple. The blame for the failure 
of the navy to come up to the expectations of the Committee and of 
Congress had to be placed somewhere. It fell naturally upon the 
shoulders of the commander-in-chief. If the Marine Committee had 
exonerated Hopkins of the charge of disobeying his orders, some of 
the blame for the inactivity of the fleet would have been transferred 
to the Committee itself, or to some of the other officers. The most 
simple solution for the Committee was the statement that Hopkins 
had not paid due regard to his instructions. 

The report of the Marine Committee was presented to Congress 
August 2, 1776, and it was ordered that it lie on the table until the 
next Monday, when Congress would consider it. Hopkins prepared 
a petition to Congress stating that " 'he has been informed that 

1 27) 



certain complaints, interrogations and report, charging him mth 
sundry crimes and misdemeanors, had been exhibited to the honorable 
Congress; the purport of which complaints, &c. he is ignorant of; 
and praying that he may be furnished with copies thereof, and of all 
other proceedings against him, which are now before this honorable 
body; and that time may be allowed him to prepare for, and a day 
assigned for, his being heard before Congress in his own defence.' " 
This petition was read in Congress Monday, August 5, and the next 
Friday was appointed for hearing Commodore Hopkins. On Friday, 
it was voted to postpone the hearing until Monday, August 12. On 
that day Hopkins appeared before Congress, the charges were read 
to him and he was allowed to present his arguments in his own 
defense. Among the Hopkins papers there are some notes, e\ddently 
made by Esek Hopkins at about this time.^" These show that he 
based his defense in regard to the charge that he did not pay due 
regard to the tenor of his instructions on the fact that conditions had 
changed between the time the orders were issued January 5, and the 
time the fleet sailed February 17, so that he had thought it necessary 
to take advantage of the last article of his orders which permitted him 
to use his own judgment. In a letter to his brother, June 8, ^^ he had 
explained that he had intended to go from New Providence directly 
to Georgia, but had received news that a frigate of 28 guns had 
arrived there, making the British force in that colony too strong for 
the American fleet. Conditions were similar in Virginia. He had 
considered the force in Rhode Island nearer equal to his own, and had, 
therefore, sailed northward. 

Hopkins presented his defense to Congress and answered some 
questions. Several witnesses were called and examined. After 
Hopkins withdrew, there was considerable debate in Congress. The 
opinions of the members were influenced by sectionaHsm. The 
Southerners were inclined to be severe with the Commander-in-Chief, 
because the fleet had made no attempt to clear their harbors of enemy 
ships. They were jealous, as usual, of any partiaUty which they 
thought had been shown to New England. The discussion was not 
concluded on that day, but was resumed on the 15 th, when the 
following resolution was passed: ^^ Resolved, That the said Commo- 
dore Hopkins, during his cruize to the southward, did not pay due 



soPart II, 47. 
siPart I. 



{28) 



regard to the tenor of his instructions, whereby he was expressly 
directed to annoy the enemy's ships upon the coasts of the southern 
states; and, that his reasons for not going from Providence imme- 
diately to the Carohnas, are by no means satisfactory." The next 
day the same matter was considered again, and more definite action 
was taken. It was resolved ''That the said conduct of Commodore 
Hopkins deserves the censure of this house, and the house does accord- 
ingly censure him." A copy of this resolution and the one of the 
preceding day was ordered sent to Hopkins. He received the resolu- 
tions enclosed in a letter from John Hancock on August 17, and 
immediately directed a letter to Congress, in care of Hancock, whom 
he informed of his intention to wait until he heard whether Congress 
had any further commands for him.82 After the reading of his letter 
in Congress on the 19th, it was resolved "That Commodore Hopkins 
be directed to repair to Rhode Island, and take the command of the 
fleet formerly put under his care." 

Hopkins' punishment was not as severe as some had anticipated. 
His enemies might have succeeded in taking away his commission, 
if it had not been for John Adams who exerted all his influence to 
justify the Commodore's conduct. The vote of censure was unfortu- 
nate, however, for the morale of the fleet, for the commander's 
authority, which had never been respected sufficiently by the other 
ofl&cers, was weakened still more. Such action by Congress encour- 
aged the attitude that Hopkins' decisions were not final, and increased 
the tendency to regard Congress as a court of appeal. 

It is hkely that the Marine Committee felt that the Commodore 
had been treated too harshly, for it now attempted to confer an honor 
upon him. The Committee ordered Hopkins to procure for the fleet 
one of the vessels which had been captured on the first cruise and 
rename it the " Hopkins. "^^ On his return to Providence, Hopkins 
stopped at New London, and found that Nathaniel Shaw, the local 
agent for the fleet, had already sold the prize ships and their stores. ^^ 

In the fall of 1776, the American Navy faced the same difliculties 
as it had in the spring. It was impossible to get enough seamen to 
man the vessels. The owners of privateers had no trouble in obtain- 
ing crews, for they offered more prize money, and many prizes were 



82Part II, 49. 
83Part II, 50. 
s^Part I, Letter from Hopkins to Hancock, Sept. i, 1776. 

1 29) 



being taken. In vain Hopkins begged the Committee to increase 
the share in the prizes taken by the Continental vessels. He also 
urged that a ruling be made that whenever any man belonging in the 
Continental fleet should be found on a privateer, not only he, but the 
whole crew should be taken out.^s This would have stopped the 
privateer owners from encouraging desertion. 

Besides the offer of a larger share of prize money, the privateers had 
another attraction for seamen. There was less delay in settUng the 
shares in the prizes taken by privateers than in the case of Con- 
tinental prizes. The vessels and cargoes taken by privateers were 
sold as soon as possible, and the accounts settled. There was much 
squabbling over the shares of prizes taken by Continental vessels. 
In case several vessels had been on a cruise together, it was difficult 
to decide which ones were responsible for the capture, or whether they 
all deserved a share of the prize. The shifting of men from one vessel 
to another to facihtate manning made it difficult to obtain an exact 
list of the crew in a vessel at the time of a capture. There was delay 
in disposing of prizes, for, in many cases, the agents had to wait for 
orders from Congress. Signing up for a cruise on a privateer was much 
more attractive to a seaman than enhsting in the Continental service. 
In almost every report to the Committee, Hopkins urged that some 
steps be taken to meet the competition of privateers. 

In desperation, Hopkins tried to get help from his native 
state. He tried to get the General Assembly to declare an embargo 
until the Continental vessels should be manned. Since many of the 
members of the Assembly had interests in the privateers, the plan 
was defeated. 86 The influential men of Rhode Island were mer- 
chants. After the outbreak of the war, most of them had turned to 
privateering. Although these merchants had been friendly with 
Hopkins for years and he had sailed vessels for some of them, they 
became his enemies in the competition between privateers and Con- 
tinental vessels. Some of these men had been on the committee for 
the building of the two Continental frigates in Providence. The 
work had progressed slowly and had been unduly expensive, for, as 
Hopkins revealed, the merchants had no scruples against taking 
away the workmen and even the materials to hasten the construction of 



ssPart I, Letter from Hopkins to Hancock, Nov. 2, 1776. 
s^Part I, Letter from Hopkins to Hancock, Nov. 2, 1776. 

1 30 1 



privateers. Hopkins' revelation of this gained the enmity of several 
influential people. 

The first expedition which the Marine Committee planned for the 
fleet in September was against the fishery at Newfoundland. ^^ Hop- 
kins set to work to carry out these orders as soon as he returned to 
Rhode Island. Most of the vessels in the fleet had gone out during 
his absence. Some of the officers had decided to sail on their own 
responsibility without awaiting orders from the Marine Committee 
or the Commander-in-Chief. ^8 It was necessary to await their return 
before the Newfoundland expedition could be arranged. The delay 
necessitated after their return by the cleaning of the ships and the 
procuring of provisions delayed the expedition still more. Finally, 
on November ist, Hopkins managed to get two vessels to sea, with 
orders to attack the coal vessels at Cape Breton Island, and from there 
to proceed to Newfoundland if the season were not too far advanced. ^^ 

The time required for the orders of the Marine Committee to reach 
Hopkins was still a source of trouble. On October lo, the Committee 
had written to Hopkins, ordering an expedition to Cape Fear.^o 
This letter arrived November 3, two days after the Alfred and Provi- 
dence had sailed. 91 None of the other vessels was ready to go to sea. 
Hopkins was extremely anxious to carry out this order for an expe- 
dition to the southward, to redeem himself with the people of the 
southern states, since he had disappointed them before. He began 
at once to assemble the fleet and take on provisions enough for 
several months. In spite of all his efforts, however, a month went 
by, and the ships were only about half manned. 

Before the end of November, the people of Rhode Island began to 
fear an attack. New York did not furnish ample winter quarters 
for the British troops, and it was expected that a number of them 
would be sent to Newport. Many of the people of that town were 
friendly to the Enghsh, and the excellent harbor offered an attractive 
rendezvous for the fleet. The Committee of Safety of Rhode Island 
realized that the presence of a superior British fleet in the lower end 

s^Letter from the Marine Committee to Esek Hopkins, Aug. 22, 1776, Force* 
American Archives, 5th, I, 1106. 

ssPait I, Letter from Hopkins to Hancock, Sept. i, 1776. 

s^Part I, Orders to Capt Jones and Capt Hacker, Oct. 22, 1776; Letter from 
Hopkins to Hancock, Nov. 2, 1776. 

soPart n, 52. 

9iPart I, Letter from Hopkins to Hancock, Nov. 3, 1776. 

I31I 



of the bay would mean that the American vessels would be bottled 
up for the winter. On December 4, when the coming of the British 
seemed almost a certainty, this committee, acting in the recess of the 
General Assembly, advised Commodore Hopkins to put to sea with 
all the Continental vessels. He rephed to Governor Cooke on the 
same day that he had long had orders from the Marine Committee to 
get the vessels to sea as soon as they were manned, and he requested 
that the committee of Rhode Island devise some way to compel 
enhstment and send the deserters on board. Some hard feehng had 
already developed between Hopkins and the General Assembly, 
because the continued presence of the unmanned vessels in the state 
of Rhode Island reflected somewhat on the patriotism of the men 
of the state. In reply to this request for help in enUsting men, the 
Governor wrote to Hopkins recommending that the payment of wages 
and shares of prize money might induce other men to engage in the 
service. Cooke also suggested that Hopkins go around to Boston, if 
he had enough men to navigate the ships. The Committee felt sure 
that men could be obtained there. Blame for non-payment of wages 
to the seamen often fell upon Hopkins. As he himself replied, he 
was not agent nor paymaster, and was powerless to remedy this evil. 
In regard to going to Boston, he answered that his orders would not 
allow it, and if they would, there was little prospect of getting manned 
there, since the ships already there seemed unable to get enough 
men to sail.^2 

On December 7, an English fleet sailed into Newport harbor, and, 
the next day, took possession of the Island of Rhode Island without 
opposition from the people of Newport. The American vessels were 
shut into the bay, with little hope of release that winter. Since they 
were insufiiciently manned to attack the enemy, the only service they 
could perform was in protecting the city of Providence. Hopkins 
sailed up the river and drew up the ships in a position to resist 
attack, where the water was too shallow for the larger ships of the 
enemy to manoeuvre with safety. ^^ They presented a sufficiently 
formidable aspect to keep the British from proceeding too far up 
the bay. 



s^This correspondence is printed in the Rhode Island Colonial Records, VIII, 
69-70. 
83Part I, Letter from Hopkins to Hancock, Dec. 10, 1776. 

{32} 



Enforced inactivity made the officers and men restless and dis- 
satisfied. They became more and more jealous of one another. 
The difficulty in obtaining wages and prize money increased the 
general discontent. Naturally, some of the men blamed the unsatis- 
factory conditions in the fleet upon the commander-in-chief. It was 
easy for some of the minor officers to claim that the situation would 
have been entirely different with a different commander. Some of 
Hopkins' enemies in the town of Providence, doubtless the privateer 
owners, took advantage of the general discontent as a help in a con- 
spiracy for the removal of Hopkins from his position as commander- 
in-chief. Several of the officers of the Warren, Hopkins' flagship, 
were induced to stir up feehng against the commander, and, finally, 
to circulate a petition to the Marine Committee, claiming that 
Hopkins was unfit for the office he held. This petition was dated 
February 19, 1777, and was signed by ten of the officers and men of 
the Warren.^* The same men also signed separate statements 
against the Commander. The similarity of the accusations in each 
of these shows with what care the conspiracy had been planned. 
Great emphasis was placed upon Hopkins' disrespectful manner of 
speaking of the Marine Committee and of Congress. He was said to 
have called its members a pack of ignorant lawyers' clerks, persons 
who did not know how to govern. Sometimes Hopkins had been 
disgusted with the orders he received from the Marine Committee 
and had discussed them with considerable profanity. His enemies 
took advantage of this now, knowing the effect the knowledge of this 
disrespect would have upon Congress. According to the statement 
of John Reed, chaplain on the Warren, Hopkins was "remarkably 
addicted to profane swearing." Several of the signers of the petition 
felt that he set a bad example to his officers and men in this respect. 
There were some vague references to cruel treatment of prisoners 
and the failure to man the fleet, but the conspirators apparently 
trusted almost entirely to the effect of the accusation of disrespect 
for the Marine Committee. These statements were enhanced by 
protestations of the patriotism of the signers, who claimed that they 
had been induced to sign the petition because of their interest in the 
welfare of their country. 

^^This petition and the accompanying statements may be found in volume 3 of 
the Hopkins Papers, in the Rhode Island Historical Society. They are included in 
a non-contemporary copy of the proceedings in the case of Hopkins vs. Marvin 
and Shaw. Many of these documents are printed in Field's Esek Hopkins. 

{33I 



John Granis, Captain of Marines on the Warren, left the ship 
without reporting to a superior officer and went to Philadelphia to 
deliver the petition to the Marine Committee. The presentation of 
the petition had the effect desired by the plotters. For a long time 
the fleet had been an object of ridicule because of its inactivity, and 
many people had blamed Hopkins for all its misfortunes. The 
Marine Committee was ready to take advantage of the opportunity 
to get rid of him. A sub-committee was appointed to examine 
Granis. He reiterated the statements in the papers which he had 
brought. 9 5 On March 25, the Marine Committee laid before Congress 
the papers containing the charges against Commodore Hopkins. 
The following day Congress took the matter into consideration and 
came to the following resolution: "That Esek Hopkins be imme- 
diately, and he hereby is, suspended from his command in the 
American navy." 

In the meantime, Hopkins became aware, of the plot against him, 
for three of the signers of the petition felt that their charges had 
been unjust and went voluntarily to the Commodore to confess what 
they had done. They signed statements for him, that to the best of 
their knowledge Hopkins had never designedly done anything 
inimical to the cause. ^^ After investigating, Hopkins discovered that 
Richard Marvin, third lieutenant on the Warren, the only Provi- 
dence man among the signers of the petition, was probably the chief 
conspirator on the ship. He was tried by a court-martial, convicted 
of signing unjust and false complaints, and ordered to give up his 
commission." This court-martial was held April 3, before the news 
of his suspension on March 26 had reached the commander-in-chief. 

Hopkins was indignant over the treatment which he had received. 
He had had no hearing or trial. He did not even know what charges 
had been made against him in the petition. The court had been 
unable to find out from Marvin, and it was not until fall that he 
finally received a copy of the papers which Granis had taken to 
Philadelphia, 9 8 although in May Congress had voted that a copy be 
made for him.^^ 



95A copy of this examination is found in the proceedings of the trial of Hopkins 
vs. Marvin and Shaw, Hopkins Papers, v. 3. 

96Part I, Letter from Hopkins to Hancock, March 18, 1777. 

9'For this court-martial, see Part II, 72, 

98Part II, 75. 

^Uournals of the Continental Congress, May 14, 1777. 

(34) 



The sentence of suspension remained in force until January 2, 
1778, when the following entry was made in the Journals of the 
Continental Congress: ''Congress having no further occasion for the 
service of Esek Hopkins, Esqr. who, on the 22 December, 1775, was 
appointed commander in chief of the fleet fitted out by the Naval 
Committee, 

^^ Resolved, That the said Esek Hopkins, Esqr. be dismissed 
from the service of the United States." 

The title of commander-in-chief was never again conferred upon a 
naval ofl&cer. 

The condition of the American navy was not improved by the 
removal of the commander. The same difficulties which had beset 
the fleet under Hopkins' command continued. The competition of 
privateers still prevented the Continental ships from obtaining 
seamen. Insubordination and squabbling over prize money and 
wages continued. Concerted action was impossible. The stories 
of the brilliant exploits of such daring individuals as John Paul Jones 
are the only bright spots in the history of the American Navy during 
the rest of the Revolution. 

Immediately after his dismissal from the service of the United 
States, Hopkins sought to prove his innocence of the charges stated 
in the petition by starting a suit for libel against the signers of that 
document, with the damages set at £1 0,000. i"" Samuel Shaw and 
Richard Marvin were the only ones to be found. In response to 
their petition for help in defending the suit. Congress resolved, on 
July 30, 1778, that it was "the duty of all persons in the service of 
the United States, as well as all other the inhabitants thereof, to 
give the earliest information to Congress or other proper authority 
of any misconduct, frauds or misdemeanors committed by any 
officers or persons in the service of these states, which may come to 
their knowledge," and voted to defray the reasonable expenses of 
defending the suit. Congress likewise furnished the defendants with 
copies of all acts referring to the career of Esek Hopkins. The trial 
itself lasted five days. Several influential men who had known 
Hopkins for a long time were present to testify in regard to his 
character. However, it was impossible to prove that the signers of 
the petition "did wickedly and maliciously conspire together" to 

"OA non-contemporary copy of the proceedings of this case is found in the 
Hopkins Papers, v. 3, in the Rhode Island Historical Society. Much of it is printed 
in Field's Esek Hopkins. 

{35I 



njure Hopkins' reputation, and the jurors were doubtless impressed 
by the reaHzation that the defendants had the support of Congress. 
The decision was for the defendants and their costs. 

Esek Hopkins' reputation among his townspeople was not hurt 
by his dismissal. PubHc confidence in him is shown by the fact that, 
immediately after his suspension, he was chosen to represent North 
Providence in the General Assembly which met in May 1777.101 
The fact that he was active in that office is shown by his appointment 
to serve on various committees and on the council of war for the 
state. For the next ten years he served the state in such offices, 
until advancing age forced him to be less active. After several years 
of ill health, he died at his home in North Providence, February 26, 
1802, at the age of 84.^02 

The Hopkins Papers, in the Rhode Island Historical Society, 
consist of four volumes. Volume I is the ''Letter Book," in which a 
copy was made of the letters and orders sent out by Esek Hopkins 
while he was Commander-in-Chief. Volume II is a large scrap book 
of miscellaneous letters and papers, chiefly letters received by Esek 
Hopkins during his command, but also including some accounts, fists 
of seamen and mifitary supplies, and a few first drafts, in Esek 
Hopkins' handwriting, of letters appearing in the "Letter Book." 
Volume III contains a few letters similar to those in volume II, and 
a nineteenth century copy of the proceedings of the trial of Hopkins 
vs. Marvin. Volume IV contains typewritten copies of documents 
in the national archives, most of which are printed in Force's American 
Archives. 

In pubfishing the Hopkins Papers, the "Letter Book" has been 
transcribed as it stands and forms Part I, this volume. The papers 
in volumes II and III have been arranged in one chronological series 
as Part II. Since the proceedings of the trial in volume III and the 
papers in volume IV are not contemporary copies and were not in 
the collection of papers as left by Esek Hopkins, they have been 
omitted. However, references to such of these documents as are 
pertinent have been included. 

Apparently, Hopkins prepared the first drafts of his letters for his 
secretary to copy, for a number of such papers appear in volume II. 
Those which are duplicated in Part I are not included in Part II of 

^^'^Rhode Island Colonial Records, VIII, 219. 
^'^^Providence Gazette, March 6, 1802. 

I36I 



this edition, but footnotes are used in Part I to indicate where the 
original may be found. Other footnotes are chiefly cross references 
to related letters in each section. 

In the front of the "Letter Book," a note, dated August 1833, 
declares that "Mr. Daniel E. Updike of Wickford states that this 
book is in the handwriting of George Richards — chaplain on board 
the Warren or Providence." Probably this is a mistake, for it is 
more Hkely that the "Letter Book" was kept by Samuel Lyon, 
secretary to Esek Hopkins. The fact that Lyon was Hopkins' 
secretary is shown in the Journals of the Continental Congress, May 8, 
1776, for at the end of Hopkins' orders, read on that day, there 
appears: "A true Copy pr Saml Lyon Secy to the Commr in Chief." 
Samuel Lyon's signature also appears after a note following a letter 
to WilHam Ellery, March 13, 1777, in the "Letter Book." As 
secretary, Lyon also signed other copies of documents, such as those 
printed in Part H, 19, 28. The handwriting in these two documents, 
as well as that of various notations made on letters received by 
Hopkins, is identical with that of the "Letter Book." 

In editing the Hopkins Papers, care has been taken to make 
accurate copies of the originals. Dashes occurring at the ends of 
sentences, however, have been replaced by periods. Superior letters 
in abbreviations have been brought into Hne with the rest of the word. 
Otherwise the spelhng and punctuation have been reproduced exactly 
as it appeared in the letters. In Part I, the manuscript pagination 
of volume I has not been indicated, for the chronological arrangement 
of the "Letter Book" makes possible easy reference to the originals. 
In Part II, the volume and page where the manuscript may be found 
is given at the end of each document. 

I am indebted to Professor James B. Hedges of Brown University 
for encouragement in this work in connection with his American 
History Seminar, and to Mr. Howard M. Chapin, Librarian of the 
Rhode Island Historical Society, for helpful advice in the editing of 
this volume. Mr. Chapin directed my attention to the dispute in 
regard to the date of Hopkins' arrival in Philadelphia to assume the 
command, and turned over to me his correspondence on that subject 
with Captain Byron McCandless, U. S. N., and others, and through 
his guidance in the principles of research, I was able to find evidence 
solving that problem. 

Alverda S. Beck 

{371 



THE LETTER BOOK 



SIGNALS FOR THE AMERICAN 
FLEET 1 



Signals by Day. 



For Sailing. Loose the Fore topSail, and Sheet it home. 

For ^^eiffhins 1 

o • ^ o -1 r Loose all the TopSails and Sheet them home. 

& coming to Sail. J 



coming 

For the Fleet to 
Anchor. 

For seeing a 
strange Vessel. 

For Chaceing. 

To give over 
the Chace. 



For the Colum- 
bus to Chace. 



For the Andrew 
Doria to Chace. 



I Clew up the Main topSail, and hoist a Weft in 
/ the Ensign. 

] Hoist the Ensign, and lower and hoist it as many 
|- times as you see Vessels allowing two minutes 
i between each time. 

1 For the whole Fleet to Chace — A red Pendant 
J at the Fore top Masthead. 

A white Pendant at the Fore topmasthead. 

Strike the broad Pendant half mast — to be 
answered by a Weft in the Ensign & making 
Sail. To Chace to Windward hoist the Ensign 
lowering the Pendant at the same time — if to 
Leeward not. To give over the Chace — a white 
Pendant at the fore top Mast head, and if at a 
great distance fire a Gun at the same time — this 
may serve for any of the Vessels to give over the 
Chace & return into the Fleet. 

A dutch Flag at the Fore top Masthead. To 
Chace to Windward hoist the Ensign lowering 
the Pendant at the same time — ^if to Leeward 
not. To give over the Chace A white Pendant 
at the fore top Mast head, and if at a great 
distance fire a Gun at the samxC time. 



^Another copy in v. 2. For papers of earlier date, see Part II. 



{40} 



For the Cabot \ A white Flag at the fore top masthead. 
to Chace. J Chace to Windward &c — as above. 



To 



For the Provi- 
dence to Chace. 

For the Fly to 
Chace. 

For the Hornet 
to Chace. 

For the Wasp 
to Chace. 

For a General 
Attack or the 
whole Fleet to 
Engage. 

To disengage & 
form into a 
Squadron. 



A St. Georges Ensign with Stripes at the Mizen 
Peak. To Chace to Windwd. &c — as above. 

A dutch Flag at the Maintop Masthead. To 
Chace to Windward &c — as above. 

1 A red Pendant at the Mizen top Masthead. To 
J Chace to Windwd. &c — as above. 

1 A dutch Flag at the Mizen Peak. — To Chace to 
J Windward &c — as above. 



The Standard at the Main top Masthead, with 
the striped Jack & Ensign at their proper places. 



A white Flag at the Ensign Staff, and the same 
into a Weft for every Vessel to make the best of 
their way off from the Enemy for their own 
preservation. 



Signals by Day. 



For all the 



Captams to come . j-nj..^^i,T7- o^. a 

, , ^, > A red Pendant at the Ensign Staff. 

onboard the ' 



Commodore. 

fhC] h I ^ white Pendant at the Mizen top Masthead. 

To Speak with 1 * , , x^, , ^^ ,. , , , 

fh\r\ n • I ^^tc^ -^l^g 2,t the Mizen top Masthead. 

, P , \ A Weft in a Jack at the Mizen top Masthead. 

.r p . , [a white flagg at the Mizen top Masthead. 

{41} 



To Speak with 
the Fly. 

For any Vessel 
in the Fleet that 
want to Speak 
with the Com- 
modore. 

To fall into a 
Line aBreast. 

To fall into a 
Line ahead. 

For meeting after 
a Separation. 

For the Ship 
Providence to 
Chace. 

To Speak with 
the Ship 
Providence. 



\ A dutch flag at the Ensign Staff. 



A weft in the Ensign; and if in distress accom- 
panied with two Guns. 



^ A red Pendant at the Mizen Peak. 

] 

r A white Pendant at the Mizen Peak. 

A weft in an Ensign at the Main top Mast 
head — to be answered with the same & Clewing 
up the Main top Gallant Sail if they have any 
Sett. 



A red Pendant at the Mizen top Masthead — to 
Chace to Windward &c — as before. 



A weft in the Ensign at the Ensign Staff. 



Signals in a Fogg or Thick Weather. 

When it comes on foggy and the Commodore will continue the same 
Sail & Course — Fire a Gun every half hour. 

To bring too on the larboard Tack — fire two Guns. 

To bring too on the Starboard Tack — Fire three Guns. 

Any Vessel in the Fleet discovering an Enemy of Superior Force, 
shall fire four Guns, and shall be answered by every Vessel in 
the Fleet with two Guns, and then endeavour to Speak with the 
Commodore — And upon hearing one of the Fleet Engage, an 
Attack must be made by the whole in the best manner possible. 

For the whole Fleet to Anchor — fire five Guns. 

To haul upon a Wind on the Starboard Tack — fire six Guns. 



{42 1 



To haul upon a Wind on the Larboard Tack — fire seven Guns. 
To bear up, or go before the Wind — fire eight Guns. 
Any of the Vessels in the Fleet, discovering Sand or Danger — fire 
minute Guns until the Danger is over. 

Signals by Night. 



To Weigh & 
come to Sail. 

To put about and 
Stand upon the 
other Tack. 



] Three lights in the Mizen Shrouds abreast of 
\ each other — to be answered by each Ship with 
J one light in the Main Shrouds. 



Two fights upon the Ensign Staff — to be answered 
by the other Vessels with one. 



] Three lights upon the Ensign Staff — to be 

,, ^^ , I answered by the other Vessels with two. 

other Tack. J -^ 



To Ware and 
Stand before the 
Wind. 

For the Fleet to 
heave too with 
their Starbd. 
Tacks onboard. 



! Two lights at the Mizen Peak — to be answered 
I by three lights at the Ensign Staff. 



A fight in the Starboard Main Shrouds, with one 
Gun. 



To heave too 
with their Lar- 
board Tacks 
onboard. 

For discovering 
Strange Vessels. 

For discovering 
Land or Danger. 



Two fights in the larboard Main Shrouds and 
two Guns. 



1 A light upon the Ensign Staff with a false Fire, 
J and as many false Fires as Vessels discovered. 

] Shew a great Number of lights, and fire Guns, 
\ which is to be continued until every Vessel in 
J the Fleet answer it by firing a Gun each. 

. ^^ , ^ Fire a Gun, and as many false Fires as there is 

Attack or En- \ ^^. • ^. \,, ^ 
Ships m the Fleet. 



gage the Enemy. 



I 43 



^ ^. c Two false Fires — to be answered by the same. 

a Separation. J 

F tVi Fl t t ^ ^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^P "^^^^ head— to be 
^ , J- answered by a light at the same place, when safe 

Anchor. ^ a i. t^ > 

) at Anchor. 



Orders given the Several Captains in the Fleet at Sailing from the 

Capes of Delaware Febry. 1776. 
Sir 

You are hereby Ordered to keep Company with me if possible, and 
truly observe the Signals given by the Ship I am in — but in case you 
should be Separated in a gale of Wind or otherwise, you then are to 
use all possible means to join the Fleet as soon as possible — but if 
you cannot in four days after you leave the Fleet, you are to make 
the best of your way to the Southern part of Abacco (one of the 
Bahama Islands) and there wait for the Fleet fourteen days — but if 
the Fleet does not join you in that time. You are to Cruise in such 
Places as you think will most annoy the Enemy — and you are to Send 
into Port for Tryal, all British Vessels or Property or other Vessels 
with any Supplies for the Ministerial Forces, who you may make 
Yourself Master of to such Places as you may think best within the 
United Colonies. 

In Case you are in very great danger of being taken you are to 
destroy these Orders and your Signals. 

E. H. Commr. in Chief. 



Copy of the Manifesto sent Onshore at New Providence 

To the Gentlemen, Freemen, and Inhabitants of the Island of New 
Providence 

The Reasons of my Landing an armed force on the Island is in 
Order to take Possession of the Powder and Warhke Stores belonging 
to the Crown, and if I am not Opposed in putting my design in 
Execution the Persons and Property of the Inhabitants Shall be 
Safe, Neither shall they be Suffered to be hurt in Case they make no 
Resistance. 

Given under my hand onboard the Ship Alfred March 3rd. 1776 . 

E. H. Cr. in Chief. 
{44I 



Copy of Permission to Captain Hinson. 

By the Honble. Ezek Hopkins Esqr. Commander in Chief of the 
Continental Fleet and, at present, of the Bahama Islands. 

Whereas I have this day receiv'd a Petition^ from Joseph Hinson 
Setting forth, ''that the Brigt Christianna under his Command from 
St. Thomas's bound to the Mississippi belonging to the Subjects of 
his Danish Majesty was obliged to put into this Port in a leaky 
Condition, And praying leave to Sell his Cargo to enable him to 
Repair his said Vessel" — And whereas it is the intention of the 
United Colonies of North America that all good Offices should be done 
to the Subjects of Foreign States, I do by Virtue of the Authority in 
me Vested by the Delegates of the said United Colonies in Congress 
Assembled give leave and impower him the said Joseph Hinson to 
Sell all of the said Cargo in order to defray his Expenses in this Port. 

Given under my hand at Fort Nassau March 7th. 1776. 

E. H. Cr. in Chief 

Sir 

You are hereby directed upon the receipt of this to deliver Captn. 
Hinson all the Goods in the Kings Stores which belong to him or his 
Owners, and for so doing this Shall be your sufficient Authority. 

Given under my hand at Fort Nassau March 7th. 1776. 

E. H. Cr. in Chief. 
To Mr. Gardner 

Keeper of the Kings Stores. 



Orders given the Several Captains at SaiHng from New Providence 

March i8th. 1776. 
Sir 

You are to keep Company with the Ship I am in if possible — but 
Should you Separate by accident You are then to make the best of 
your way to Block Island Channel, and there to Cruise in 30 fathom 
Water South from Block Island Six days in order to join the Fleet. 



2For the petition, see Part II, 19. 

(45 1 



If they do not join you in that time you may Cruise in Such Places 

as you think will most annoy the Enemy, or go in Port as you think 

fit and acquaint me by the first Opportunity so that you may Receive 

further Orders. „, . ... , ^^ . ^, 

Ship Alfred March i8th 1776. 

E. H. Cr. in Chief 

Orders given to Lieutt. Elisha Hinman 
Sir 

You being appointed Master of the Sloop Endeavour, 3 you are to 
keep Company with the Fleet till further Orders — but if you should 
loose Company you are to use your best endeavours to get into 
Providence — if you cant get in there you are to go in on the East Side 
of Rhode Island, Rowlands Ferry under the Fort, or into New 
London — And whenever you get in to port you are to Land your 
Guns and Stores, and send to Governor Nicholas Cook at Providence, 
or Governor Trumbull for further Orders 'till you hear from me. 

Ship Alfred March 18 1776. 
E. H. Cr. in Chief 
To Elisha Hinman Esqr. 

Onboard the Alfred March 18th. 1776. 
Gentlemen 

I understand by Captn. Jennings that you was in want of Guns, 
and I have Sent by him two q lb Guns and some Shot which please to 
accept and make such use of them as you think best — And if Oppor- 
tunity permits send the Shot he has onboard that are too big for your 
Guns to Providence or Rowlands Ferry and you will Oblige you and 

To the Committee of the Town Your Countrys Friend 

of Dartmouth. E. H. 



Ship Alfred at New London April 8th 1776. 
Gentlemen 

When I put to Sea the 17th Febry. from Cape Henlopen we had 
many Sick, and four of the Vessels had a large number onboard with 

3This was a large sloop which Hopkins took from New Providence to carry 
home the captured stores. He promised to send it back and pay the owner hire 
for it. 

1 46 ) 



the Small Pox. The Hornet and Wasp join'd me two days before[,] 
the Wind came at N. E which made it unsafe to lye there. The 
Wind after we got out came on to blow hard. I did not think we 
were in a Condition to keep on a cold Coast, and appointed our 
Rendezvous at Abacco one of the Bahama Islands. The second 
night we lost the Hornet & Fly. I arrived at the Rendezvous in 
order to wait for the Fleet fourteen days agreeable to Orders. I 
then formed an Expedition against New Providence which I put in 
Execution the 3rd March by landing two hundred Marines under 
the Command of Captn. Nicholas, and fifty Sailors under the Com- 
mand of Lieutt. Weaver of the Cabot who was well acquainted there. 

The same day they took Possession of a small Fort of Seventeen 
pieces of Cannon without any opposition save five Guns which were 
fired at them without doing any damage. I received that evening 
an Account that they had two hundred and odd Men in the Main 
Fort (all Inhabitants). I then caused a Manifesto to be pubHshed 
the Purport of which was ("That the Inhabitants and their Property 
should be Safe if they did not oppose me in taking possession of the 
Fort and Kings Stores) which had the desired effect for the Inhabitants 
left the Fort and Governor almost alone. 

Captn. Nicholas sent by my Orders to the Governor for the Keys 
of the Fort which was delivered and the Troops march'd directly in 
where we found the several Warlike Stores agreeable to the Inventory 
inclosed,^ but the Governor sent 150 barrs. Powder off in a Small 
Sloop the night before. 

I have taken all the Stores onboard the Fleet, and a large Sloop 
that I found there which I have promis'd the owner to Send back 
and pay him hire for. 

The Fly join'd us at Providence and gave an account that she got 
foul of the Hornet and carried away her Boom and head of her Mast 
and I hear since she has got into some port of South Carolina. 

I have taken the Governor Montfort Brown, the Lieutt. Governor 
who is a half pay Officer, and Mr. Thomas Arwin who is a Counsellor 
and Collector of his Majestys Quit-Rents in South CaroHna, and it 
appears by the Court Callendar that he is also Inspector General of 
his Majestys Customs for North America. 

Since we came out we have lost Company with the Wasp. 

^See Part II, 18, for this inventory. 

I47l 



The 4th instt. we fell in with the East End of Long Island, and 
took the Schooner Hawke Commanded by young Wallace of Six 
Carriage Guns & eight Swivels — and the 5th took the Bomb Brig of 
8 Guns, 2 Howitzers & 48 hands, well found with all sorts of Stores, 
Arms, Powder &c — the 6th in the Morning wxll fell in with the 
Glascow and her Tender and engaged her near three hours. We lost 
six men killed and as many Wounded — the Cabot lost four Men 
killed and Seven Wounded the Captain is among the latter^ — the 
Columbus had one Man lost his arm. We receiv'd considerable 
damage in our Ship but the greatest was in having our Wheel Rope 
and blocks shot aw^ay which gave the Glascow time to make Sail. 
I did not think proper to follow as it would have brought on an action 
with the whole of their Fleet and as I had upwards of thirty of our 
best Seamen onboard the Prizes and some that were onboard had 
got too much liquor out of the Prizes to be fit for duty thought it most 
prudent to give over Chace and secure our Prizes — and got nothing 
but the Glascows Tender — and arrived here this day with all the Fleet. 

Among the dead are Mr. Sinclair Seymour Master of the Cabot a 
good Officer Lieutt. Wilson of the Cabot and Lieut. Fitzpatrick of 
the Alfred. 

The Officers all behaved well onboard the Alfred, but too much 
Praise cannot be given to the Officers of the Cabot who gave and 
Sustain'd the whole Fire for some considerable time within pistol 
Shot. 

I am with great Respect 

Your most Obedt. humb Servt. 
E. H. 
To the honble. John Hancock Esqr. 
Presidt. of the Congress at Philada. 



Ship Alfred at New London on April 8th 1776^ 
Honoured Sir 

Inclosed you have an Inventory of Stores taken out of two Forts at 
New Providence — have also the Governor, a Counsellor who is a half 



5See Part II, 21, "A List of the Kill'd & Wounded On Board the Brigantine 
Cabot." 
^There is another copy of this letter in the Hopkins Papers, II, 41. 



I48I 



pay Officer and the Surveyor General of the Customs for North 
America onboard. I shall be glad of your directions how to dispose 
of them as they are Gentlemen that I think ought to be well treated as 
Prisoners. I have Ukewise Seventy odd Prisoners taken out of the 
Bomb Brig, the Schooner and the Glascows Tender which shall be 
glad of your directions respecting them. 

If you should see General Washington Shall be glad to get Per- 
mission to Enhst some of his Soldiers as I am very short handed. I 
have a number of heavy Cannon taken out of the Forts if you should 
have Occasion for any of them you will please to give directions 
accordingly. 

I am with great Respect 

to the honble. Jonathn Trumbull Esqr. Sir 

Governor of the Colony of Connecticut Your very humbe. Servt. 
at Lebannon. ^ jj 



Ship Alfred at New London April 8th 1776. 
Sir 

When I put to Sea the 17th Febry. from Cape Henlopen we had 
many Sick and four of the Vessels had a large number onboard 
with the Small Pox. The Hornet and Wasp join'd me two days 
before[,] the Wind came at N. E which made it unsafe to lay there. 
The Wind after we got out, came on to blow hard I did not think 
we were in a Condition to keep on a cold Coast and appointed our 
Rendezvous at Abacco one of the Bahama Islands. The second 
night we lost the Hornet & Fly. I arrived at the Rendezvous in 
Order to wait for them fourteen days agreeable to Orders. I then 
formed an Expedition against New Providence which I put in Execu- 
tion the 3rd March by Landing two hundred Marines under the 
Command of Captn. Nicholas, and fifty Sailors under the Command 
of Lieutt. Weaver of the Cabot who was well acquainted there. The 
same day they took Possession of a Small Fort of Seventeen Pieces 
of Cannon without any Opposition save five Guns which were fired 
at them without doing any damage. I receiv'd that evening an 
Accoimt that they had two hundred & odd Men in the Main Fort 
all Inhabitants. I then Caused a Manifesto to be published, the 



{49) 



purport of which was (That the Inhabitants and their Property- 
should be Safe if they did not Oppose me in taking Possession of the 
Fort and Kings Stores) Which had the desired Effect for the In- 
habitants left the Fort and Governor almost alone. Captn. Nicholas 
sent by my Orders to the Governor for the Keys of the Fort which 
were delivered, and the Troops March'd directly in where we found 
the several Warlike Stores agreeable to the Inventory inclosed — but 
the Governor sent 150 barrels Powder off in a Small Sloop the night 
before. I have taken all the Stores onboard the Fleet and a large 
Sloop that I found there which I have promised the Owner to send 
back & pay him hire for. 

The Fly join'd us at Providence and gave an Account that she got 
foul of the hornet and carried away the Boom and head of her Mast, 
and I hear since she has got into some port of South CaroUna. 

I have taken the Governor Montfort Browne, the Lieutenant 
Governor who is a half pay Officer, and Mr. Thomas Arwin who is a 
Counsellor & Collector of his Majestys Quit Rents in South Carolina, 
and it appears by the Court Callendar that he is also Inspector 
General of his Majestys Customs for North America. 

Since we came out we have lost Company with the Wasp. The 
4th inst. we fell in with the East End of Long Island and took the 
Schooner Hawke Commanded by young Wallace of Six Carriage 
Guns and eight Swivels, and the 5th took the Bomb Brig of 8 Guns 
& 2 Howitzers, 48 hands and well found with all Sorts of Stores, 
Arms, Powder &c. 

the 6th in the Morning we fell in with the Glascow and her Tender, 
and Engaged her near three hours. We lost six Men killed and as 
many Wounded. — the Cabot lost 4 men killed and Seven Wounded — 
the Captain is among the latter — the Columbus had one Man who 
lost his Arm. We receiv'd considerable damage in our Ship but the 
greatest was in having our Wheel Rope and blocks Shot away which 
gave the Glascow time to make Sail. I did not think proper to follow 
as it would have brought on an Action with the whole of their Fleet, 
and as I had upwards of thirty of our best Seame n onboard the Prizes 
and some that were onboard had got too much liquor out of the 
Prizes to be fit for duty thought it most prudent to give over the 
Chace and Secure our Prizes and arrived here this day with all the 
Fleet. 



I50I 



If I can get the Fleet well mann'd I shall endeavour to come into 
our Government and see how things is there, and if you should want 
any of the Stores shall be glad to know the Sorts. 

I am Sir with great Respect 
To the honble. Nicholas Cooke Esqr. Your humbe. Servt. 

Governor of the Colony of Rhode Island E. H. 

at Providence 

Ship Alfred at New London April i6. 1776. 
Sir 

You are to take Charge of the Cabot and proceed with her directly 
to Newport and land the ten Guns there to General Babcock — but 
in case you can't get into Newport harbour then you are to go into 
the River Eastward of Rhode Island and land your Guns at Houlands 
Ferry and send an Express to Brigadier Babcock with it as soon as 
possible — if you can't get into either of the above ports go up to 
Providence and deliver the Guns to Governor Cooke. ^ 

Yours &c. 
To Elisha Hinman Esqr. E. H. 

Lieutt. of the Cabot. 

New London April 17th, 1776. 
Sir 

I this Moment receiv'd an Express from General Washington the 
Contents are inclosed. Have sent the Cabot with ten pieces of 
Cannon with Orders to deliver them to you as soon as possible. — 
have given the Captain Orders to land them in Newport if possible — 
if not at Houlands Ferry — Your own prudence will Suggest what 
Steps may be necessary for the Public Safety. 

I am with great Respect 

Your humble. Servt. 

E. H. 

To Henry Babcock Esqr. 

Brigd. General & Commandr. of the Troops 

on Rhode Island 

'The Cabot delivered the guns at Newport. See letter from H. Hacker to 
E. Hopkins, April 20, 1776, Part II, 26, 

{51) 



New London Apiil 17th. 1776. 
Honour'd Sir 

Inclosed you have a Copy of General Washington's Letter received 
by Express. Your own prudence will Suggest what Steps will be 
necessary for the pubHck Safety. I am with great Respect 

Your honor's most Obedt. hble. Servt. 
To the honb. Jonathn. Trumbull Esqr. E. H. 

Governor of the Colony of Connecticut. 



Onboard Ship Alfred at the Mouth of New London 

River April 21. 1776. » 
Dear Brother 

Since I wrote nothing material has happened. We landed our 
Sick which were 140 Men in the Fleet and got some new Men out of 
the Army,9 and was ready to Sail when I receiv'd General Washingtons 
Letter by Express a Copy of which I have inclosed. I sent out the Cabot 
in order to Strengthen the Town of Newport where she is arrived as 
you will see by Lieutt. Hinman's Letter a Copy of which you have 
inclosed Two days past we were under Sail to go out but got ashore 
on the Rocks near Fisher's Island, but got off again without much 
damage after about 8 hours & came in again and ordered all the 
Vessels in, which I had under Convoy five of whom were at the risque 
of the Congress. 

The Fly is now out in order to learn the Strength of the Fleet, and 
if they are not much Stronger than we Shall go out the first fair Wind. 
We are much better Mann'd now than we ever have been. My Son 
John B. Hopkins is ashore at Mr. Shaws and getting better of his 
Wounds, but do not expect will be able to go onboard his Brig to take 
the Command in less than 3 or 4 Weeks. 

I am your loving Brother 
E. H. 



sThe first draft of this letter is in v. 2, 42 of the Hopkins Papers, on the back of a 
letter from J. B. Hopkins to Esek Hopkins, Part II, 27. 

^About 170 men were enlisted out of Washington's army. See letter from 
Hopkins to Hancock, May i, 1776, in Part I. Washington sent for his men 
April 25, 1776. See letter from Hopkins to Washington, May i, 1 776, in Part I. 



p. S. I have Oblig'd most of the Sailors which I have taken out 
of the Armed Vessels to do duty onboard. Should be glad to know 
if that is agreeable with the Sentiments of the Congress that I may 
still follow the same Rule. 

To the honble. Stephen Hopkins Esqr. 
at Philadelphia. 

New London April 22nd 1776. 
Sir 

Captn. Allen Brown is here yet with your Sloop, and without the 
Coast is clear I advise him to stay untill he can be certain of getting 
round — but if you want to Sell the Molasses I hear it will fetch ^/8 at 
New York where she may go Safe, and perhaps be more for your 
Advantage than her coming home 

Your Son^o is hearty and behaves Extremely well ever Since he 
came onboard our Ship. I am 

Your Friend at Command 

To John Jenckes Esqr. E. H. 

at Providence. 



Ship Alfred at New London April 25th. 1776. 
Sir 

You are to make what dispatch you can to clean your Brig and 
you may take the Ballast out of the Bomb Brig and what more you 
want you must make up with Stones. You must apply to Mr. Shaw 
for whatever you may find necessary. When you get ready I desire 
you may take Care of the Merchant Vessels and Convoy them clear 
of the Land if the Coast is so clear that you can do it with Safety to 
them — and make what dispatch you can to Providence for further 
directions as I intend there as soon as possible 

Yours &c. 
To Nicholas Biddle Esqr. E. H. 

Commander of the Andrew Doria.^i 



"Rufus Jenckes, Midshipman. Stee Part II, 77, "Officers onboard the Alfred." 
i^See "A Journal of a Cruse In the Brig Andrew Doria . . ." printed in 

Neeser, ed., The Despatches of Molyneux Shuldham, 295-297. There is a first 

draft of this letter in the Hopkins Papers, v. 2, 52. 

IS3l 



New London April 25. 1776. 
Sir 

The bearer Governor Browne^^ requests me to use my influence 
with your honour, that he may have leave some times on parole to 
go as far as where he can go to Church. And as he is a Gentleman 
of Character, I make no doubt but you will give him as much Liberty 
as is Consistent with the pubhck Safety and further he can't expect. 
I am with great Respect 

Your honor's most Obedt humbe Servt. 
To the honble. Jonathn. Trumbull Esqr. E. H. 

Governor of the Colony of Connecticut 
at Lebannon. 

Providence April 28th 1776. 
Sir 

I am to acknowledge your kind indulgence of putting your Colony 
Vessels under my Care^^ — the bearer Captn. Niles has behaved like a 
good Officer has follow'd my Orders and been beneficial to the Fleet — 
he has now onboard some Shells and one Mortar for General Wash- 
ington which he will take out at New London, or carry to New York 
as your honour thinks fit — but I believe his Schooner would be fitter 
for Service if She was ballasted with Iron which he tells me can't be 
procured nearer than New York. 

I am with great Respect 

Sir Your most Obedt. humb. Servt. 

E. H. 

To the hon. Jonathn. Trumbull Esqr. 
Governor of the Colony of Connecticut 
at Lebannon 



Providence May ist 1776. 
Gentlemen 

Yours I receiv'd pr Express this day dated in April, and observe 
the Contents. Shall endeavour to give you a State of the Navy 



i^Made prisoner at New Providence. 
^3See Part II, 23, 24. 

1 54) 



under my Command and shall begin with the time we arrived in 
New London River where we landed Sick people not fit for duty in 
the Hospital which I provided with difficulty 72 from the Alfred 34 
from the Columbus, 58 from the Andrew Doria, 17 from the Cabot, 
16 from the Pro\'idence & 5 from the Fly, in all 202 people which 
weaken'd our Fleet so much that I applied to General Washington, 
and got an Order for two hundred Men, about one hundd. & seventy 
of whom I got onboard the Fleet — when I came to Sail with our 
Fleet in Order to Speak with the Fleet at or near Newport — but the 
Alfred got ashore near Fisher's Island, and was oblig'd to be hghten'd 
to get her off which we did without much damage. In the mean 
time Wallace and his whole Fleet left Newport. 

We Sailed from New London the 24th April and met nothing — the 
next day the Weather proved rough we put in here, where we have 
Landed upwards of one hundred Sick Men, and there is daily more 
taken down \sith some New ^Malignant Fever. 

I was making all the dispatch possible to procure Provisions & 
Stores in Order for a three or four Months Cruise when I receiv'd by 
the same Express General Washington's Orders to Send his Men 
immediately to New York which I must Comply with. 

I had brought round here 26 hea\y Cannon for the defence of the 
Town of Newport & by that Service expected to obtaind Liberty 
to enhst Men out of the Government Troops to have made up my 
Comphment — but if the Cannon must be taken away I can't ask it 
with modesty, and if I do I am in doubt whether it would be granted. 

I am ready to follow any Instructions that you give at aU tim.es 
but am very much in doubt whether it will be in my power to keep 
the Fleet together with any Credit to my Self or the Officers that 
belong to it. Neither do I believe it can be done without power to 
dismiss such Officers as I find Slack in their duty. I left the Sloop 
and the Andrew Doria at New London unloading Stores — when I 
get a return of what they Land Shall transmit it immediately to you. 
I ordered the Andrew Doria to Careen there ^^ which I hear is done. 
Should be glad you would give Orders what should be done with the 
New Pro\'idence Sloops ^ which I wrote my Brother about. 



^^See orders to Nicholas Biddle, April 25, 1776, in Part I. 

^The Efideavor, taken by Hopkins to carry stores from New Providence. 

I 55) 



Inclosed you have a Copy of Captn. Whipple's Request^^ to me 
which Suppose I shall grant, and expect that may bring on some 
more Enquires — but do not expect any thing which may now be done 
will mend what is past. 

I am with great Respect 
To the hon. John Hancock Esqr. Your most Obed hble Servt. 
Presidt. of the M. Committee E. H. 

Providence May ist 1776. 
Sir 

Your favour of the 25th April pr Express have receiv'd. I am 
very much obliged to you for the use of your Men and shall dispatch 
them to New York immediately in the Sloop Providence Capt. 
Hazard^^ — although we Still continue to be Sickly onboard the 
Fleet so that it will be impossible to go to Sea with the Fleet before 
we get recruited with hands which will not easily be done. 

I am with great Respect 
To his Excelly. Genl. Washington Sir 

New York. Your most Obedt. humb Servt. 

E. H. 



Providence May 12th. 1776. 
Sir 

You are to take Command of the Sloop Providencei^ and put her in 
the best Condition you can, and you are to take the Soldiers onboard 
that belong to General Washington's Army and carry them to New 
York as soon as you can and then Return here with the Sloop for 
further Instructions. If you should be in want of any Supplys further 
than what money you have will answer, you may draw on me for so 
much as will be necessary to furnish the Sloop with any thing you 



i^The request for a court-martial. See Part II, 30. 

i^Before this order was carried out, Capt. Hazard was tried by a court-martial 
and ordered to give up his commission. See petition of John Hazard to Esek 
Hopkins, Part II, 34. 

i^Formedy commanded by John Hazard, court-martialed May 8, 1776. 

I56l 



can't do well without. And if you have an Opportunity to Ship any 
Seamen you are to get what Number you can, or Landsmen. 

When you come back you may call at New London, and take 
onboard the Men that are fit in the Hospital there belonging to the 
Fleet. 

To John P. Jones Esqr. Yours &c. 

Commander of the Sloop Providence E. H. 

Providence May 12th 1776. 
Honour'd Sir. 

By Captn. Jones in the Providence I have sent you as many of 
your Officers and Soldiers as I could collect — but some of them that 
I took onboard are Sick, and some have left the Fleet — for what 
Reason I can't tell. 

Shall collect as many of those that are left behind as possible as 
send by the first Opportunity and Advertize the Remainder as 
Deserters, though the Ofi&cers tell me they believe some are Sett out 
by Land to join their Regiments 

To his Excelly. I am with great Regard 

General Washington. y^^^. j^^^^j^ g^.^^. 

E. H. 



Providence May 12th 1776. 
Sir 

You are to take as many men out of the Alfred as will make your 
Compliment eighty five, and proceed on a Cruise against the Enemies 
of the United Colonies for three or four Weeks in such places as you 
think will most annoy the Enemy if you do not take as many Prizes 
as you can well mann sooner. 

You are also to endeavour to keep Company with the Cabot, and 
give such directions to Lieutenant Hinman her Commander as may 
be necessary for the PubHc Good. 

If you take any Prizes you are to Send them in here, or in Case of 
Necessity any other Place you can with most Safety. You are to 
send in for Tryal all British Property, and all Vessels bound to 

(57) 



Great Britain or to any of the British Plantations which are now 
under the British Ministry. 

In Case you should want any Supplys you may draw on me for 
the same or on the Continental Treasurers. 

Yours &c. 
To Nicholas Biddle Esqr. E. H. Cr. in Chief. 

Commander of the Brigt. Andrew Doria 

Providence May 12th 1776. 
Sir 

You are to take Command of the Brigt. Cabot, and take as many 
Men out of the Alfred or Fly as will make your CompHment up 
Ninety, and go to Sea and Cruise three or four Weeks if you don't 
take as many Prizes as you can well mann in less time — and you are 
likewise to take such directions from time to time as you may Receive 
from Captn. Biddle. 

In Case of a Separation with him and you should want Supplys 
you may draw on me for so much as is Necessary. 
To Lieutt. EHsha Hinman E. H. Cr. in Chief 

Commander of the Brigt. Cabot. 

Providence May 21st 1776." 
Sir 

You know when I left the Guns at New London I told you that if 
the Congress Sent for them they must have them, which you then 
said must be Complied with. And as there is now an express Order^o 
without Reserve for twenty of the heaviest Cannon to be sent to 
Philadelphia, I expect if Governor Trumbull is not at New London 
you will immediately deliver them to Messrs. Hollingsworth & 
Richardson who are Sent to Receive them — as the failure may be 
attended with fatal Consequences. 



To Mr. Nathl Shaw jr. 


I am 




Mercht. 


Sir 




New London. 




Your humbl. Servt. 
E.H. 



'^The first drafts of this and the two following letters are in v, 2, 42, of the 
Hopkins Papers. 
2°Part II, 35. 

{58I 



Providence May 21st 1776. 
Sir 

On receipt of this you will deliver to the bearers Messrs. HoUings- 
worth and Richardson twenty of the heaviest Cannon, a proportion 
of the Trucks and as many large ball as can be Spared which I left at 
New London. 

I having receiv'd an Order of Congress for the same in Order to be 
sent immediately to Philadelphia for the defence of that City 

To the hon. Jonathn. Trumbull Esqr. I am 
or in his absence to Mr. Nath Shaw Your humb Servt. 

Mercht. at New London. £ jj 



Providence May 21st 1776. 
Sir 

I this day receiv'd yours and observe the Contents^i — a^fj ^g to 
the Order of Congress to deliver the Cannon to you there was a 
discretionary power in me to Stop as many as I thought would be for 
the benefit of the Fleet, 22 and as I was & am still Careening the Fleet 
I think it not Safe to part with the Cannon before the Ships are in a 
posture of defence. 

I yesterday receiv'd an Order of Congresses to deliver to Messrs. 
Hollingsworth and Richardson in Order to be sent to Philada. for 
the defence of that City, twenty of the heaviest Cannon which I 
brought from New Providence, and as the largest of the Cannon were 
left at New London I have accordingly given them an Order on you 
for the same and make no doubt as it is the Express Orders of Congress 
you will deliver the Same without delay. 

I am with great Respect 

Your Honor's most Obedt. hble Servt. 
To the honble. Jonathn. Trumble Esqr. E. H. 

Governor of Connecticut. 



2iProbably similar to the letter from Trumbull to Cooke, May 14, 1776. Col- 
lections of the Rhode Island Historical Society, VI, 157. 
^Uournals of the Continental Congress, April 16, 1776. 
23Part II, 35. 

{59I ( 



Providence May 21st 1776. 
Sir 

You will on Receipt of this deliver to Messrs. HoUingsworth & 
Richardson the Bomb Brig or Schooner as they may think best if 
they have occasion for them. And if you can Collect any of the 
hands that belong to the Fleet you must get them onboard and take 
Charge of the Vessel yourself, and follow such directions as you shall 
Receive from them. 

E. H. Cr. in Chief. 
To Mr. Walter Spooner 
at New London. 

Providence May 21st 1776. 
Sir 

When you arrive at Philadelphia please to get directions to me from 
the Congress or the Naval Committee what I shall do with the Negro 
Slaves taken in the Bomb Brigt.24 and what I shall do with the New 
Providence Sloop which I took to bring the Guns to New London. 
And let the Congress know that it will not be in my power to Mann 
the Fleet without their Orders for Shipping men out of the Army. 

I am Yours &c 
To Mr. John Collins. E. H. 



Providence May 22nd. 1776. 
Gentlemen 

When I arrived at New London I deliverd 36 Guns and all the 
other Stores but 26 Guns and some Trucks which was then onboard 
the Alfred Columbus & Cabot, and as I could not get Ballast in room 
of the Guns, brought them here and deliver'd to Governor Cooke 
which he put into the Fort to prevent the return of the Kings Ships 
which I consented to on Condition they should be Subject to Order of 
Congress. Three days past I receiv'd your Orders to deUver twenty 
to the City of Philada. Committee. I came up here and found that 
Governor Cooke had gone a long Journey. I then called such of his 
Council & Members of Assembly as could be got together, laid the 



2^See Part II, 20, "Prisoners taken in the Bomb Brigt. April 5, 1776.". 

160} 



Order of Congress before them and desired they would deliver the Guns. 
The Council determined they could not be delivered before you was 
acquainted with the present circumstances of the Government which 
they had sent one of their Members Mr. John Collins to represent to 
you.25 I then gave the Committee an Order on Governor Trumbull 
for twenty of the Guns left at New London, and I hope he will deliver 
them, as they may be better Spared from there than here, as the 
consquence of moving the Cannon from here would be the blocking 
up of the Fleet in this River, or such part of them as are now 
here. 

The Sickness that has attended the Fleet since we left New Provi- 
dence still continues in a great Measure and has Render'd the Fleet 
useless as near one half the whole Number are Sick and unfit for duty. 
Eight days past I sent the Providence to New York to carry the 
Sailors to General Washington which I borrow 'd of him to bring the 
Fleet round here. The Cabot and Andrew Doria are clean'd & 
Mann'd with upwards of two hundred Men and Sail'd last Sunday 
Morning by the Light house on a Cruise, and as I put a number of 
hands out of the Alfred onboard the Andw Doria it has left her 
almost with [out] hands — and the most I now expect is to fit and send 
the Columbus & Providence on a Cruise in about ten days which will 
leave the Alfred without any hands more than the Officers. The 
Sickness discouraging new hands from Entering. The Brigs carried 
near four Months Provisions with them, and have procured near the 
same for the other Vessels, which I have and shall draw on your 
Treasurers for I am Hkewise obliged to furnish the Officers and People 
with some Money — and the Hospital Bill will be a large Sum. 

I think it would be for the publick Advantage, and should be 
extremely glad you would send or appoint some Agent to transact 
the busines here — and also of the Prizes Should also be glad you would 
direct what is to be done with the Sloop which I took at New Provi- 
dence to bring the Guns and Stores, as no other Person in that Island 
suffered one Shilling it would be hard the Owner should not have his 
Vessel or be paid for her — hope you will also give me directions what 
I shall do with the Slaves taken in the Armed Vessels, for my giving 
them without Salvage would disaffect the Officers & People without 
your Orders so to do. 



^^Rhode Island Colonial Records, VII, 550. 

{61) 



The reason of my leaving the Alfred to the last Vessel fitted out is, 
She is tender Sided and the most unfit Vessel in the Fleet for Service, 
and her Main Mast has a 9 lb Shot through it, and can't get another 
easily in this place, although it is fished in the best manner we could 
do it I am still in doubt whether it will bear hard Crowding on. Upon 
the whole all the chance I have of manning the Alfred is when the 
Assembly Sitts to get Orders from them to Ship Sailors out of their 
Army at Newport — if that fails she nor the New Ships built here will 
hardly get mann'd without you give Orders for Sailors to be Shipp'd 
out of the Army. 

Inclosed you have Copies of the Sentence of two Court Martials 
on the Captains of the Columbus and Providence, the latter of which 
I have confirmicd, the other shall wait your directions for — and as for 
the rest of Captn. Hazards Conduct I could have look'd it over, but 
as he was found Guilty in the affair of the Glascow I could not pass 
it by. 

I am with great Respect 

Gentlemn. Your most Obedt. humbl. Servt. 

E. H. 
To the Honble John Hancock Esqr. 
President of the Congress 
at Philadelphia. 



Providence May 22nd 1776. 
Sir 

I sent the Providence last thursday with all the Soldiers that 
belong'd to your Army that could then be collected. Since I sent 
three by Captn. Williams, and there is some Sick now here which shall 
send as soon as well. Some few I believe are deserted or gone by 
Land. 

The Cabot and Andrew Doria both sail'd last Sunday Morning on a 
Cruise to the Eastward — -the Columbus hope to send soon — the others 
I am afraid can't get away for want of Men as the Men onboard the 
Fleet continue very Sickly it makes it difficult to get Men — and was 
it not for that impediment the Sailors are mostly taken up in the 
several Armies and otherways — So that it will be with great difficulty 
the Fleet here can be mann'd. 



62 1 



The two new Ships are Launched^^ and will be soon ready if Men 
could be had. I receiv'd Orders to send to Philadelphia a number of 
Cannon, which if CompHed with will give great Uneasiness in this 
part of the Country. 

To his Excelly. I am with great Regard 

General Washington Your most humbl Servt. 

at New York. E. H. 



Sir 

Please to send me by Capt. Saltonstal as good an Account of the 
Guns & Stores left in your hands as you can get — and Ukewise should 
be glad you will send me an Account of your Schooners Cargo which 
Capt. Biddle Retook, as the Officers blame me for delivering her untill 
she was tried. Should be glad to Satisfy them that they will Receive 
no injury by that step. 

I congratulate you on being appointed by the Congress Agent for 
the Fleet" and all Prizes sent into your Government, which I have 
receiv'd an Account of — expect you will act as such whether you 
have receiv'd the Order or not, and get the three prizes Libelled and 
Condemn'd as soon as possible. And as to your Schooner I make no 
doubt but you will Satisfy the Officers and People, without a tryal. 

I now have the Gentlemen here from the Committee of Safety of 
Philadelphia but I expect they will not be able to get more Cannon 
here than they did or I expected they would at New London. What 
will be the event of their not Succeeding I can't at present tell. I 
am well Convinced they sending them away will be of very ill Con- 
sequences to the Continent, and their not going will have no other 
bad Effect but on me who. had better Suffer than the Community. 

I am with great Respect 

To Mr. Nathl. Shaw junr. Your Friend & humbl. Servt. 

Merchant at New London. E. H. 



26The Warren and the Providejice. For the account of their launchings see the 
Providence Gazette, May ii,i8, 1776. 

^''Journals of the Continental Congress, April 23, 1776. 

{63I 



Sir 

Please to get an Exact Account of the number and weight of the 
Cannon Mortars, Shells, Shott & Stores left at New London, and also 
get an Account of Mr. Spooner of all the Provisions & Stores deliver'd 
out of the several Prizes to the Fleet and the particular Vessels they 
were deliver'd to, and also an Account of him of the Schooner's Cargo 
deliver'd to Mr. Shaw, and also Mr. Shaws Account of what they 
sold for — and an Account also of the ballance of what Powder Mr. 
Shaw now has in his hands that was Landed out of the Fleet. And 
also take some Care of the Men belonging to the Fleet, and send 
such here as are Capable of duty. 

Yours &c. 
To Dudley Saltonstall Esqr. E. H. 



Providence May 30th 1776. 
Sir 

Should be glad you will let me know by the Post whether your 
General Assembly have appointed any Court to try Prizes agreeable 
to Orders of Congress — as it is time we Should do something with 
the Prizes in New London. 

Your answer will oblige 

Sir 

To Mr. Nath Shaw jr. Your Friend at Command 

Mercht. at New London E. H. 



Providence June 8th 1776. 
Dear Brother 

I receiv'd your kind Letter of the 31st May & observe the Contents 
and as for the Southern Colonies being Uneasy it is no more than from 
the Circumstances of things I before apprehended — but it was not 
nor is in my power to prevent it — but if they think I am partial in 
favour of the Northern Colonies they are greatly mistaken. 

When I went to the Southward I intended to go from New Provi- 
dence to Georgia had I not receiv'd intelligence 3 or 4 days before I 
sailed that a Frigate of 28 Guns had arrived there, which made the 
Force in my Opinion too Strong for us — at Virginia they were Hkewise 

1 64) 



too Strong. In Delaware and New York it would not do to attempt. 
Rhode Island I was sensible was Stronger than we, but the Force 
there was nearer equal than any where else, which was the reason of 
my attempting there which answered no other end than the British 
Naval Force quitting the Government. 

When I attempted the Fleet at Rhode Island had all the Commanders 
behaved as well as I expected they would, I should have had it in my 
power long before this to have relieved most of the Southern Govern- 
ments from their present difficulties — but as the Case was it w^as 
lucky we did not fall in with their whole Strength at first. I was not 
deceived in the Strength of the Enemy but greatly in our own Resolu- 
tion, and perhaps I was wrong in not gi\dng my Sentiments fully at 
first, the Reason of which was I was in hopes then of some further 
Action & that we might Retrieved the Character of the Fleet — but 
the inattention to business of most of the Officers, and an expectation 
of getting higher Stations in the new Ships has as I think been some 
hindrance to getting the Fleet ready to Sail so soon as othenAize it 
Might. I had no apprehension of the Cannon being wanted more 
any where else which was the Reason of my delivering them to 
Governor's Cook & Trumbull. 

The very great Sickness which then was and still is amongst the 
Seamen of the Fleet Render'd it impossible to undertake any Enter- 
prize for the ReUef of any Colony although in ever so much Distress. 
All that I have been able to do was to Send the two Brigs on a Cruise 
which I acquainted them with. 

I did not know it was Necessary to send a Copy of my Orders to 
the Marine Committee, but shall now do it immediately. 

I conceived it was by the Regulations the business of the several 
Captains to transmit Muster Rolls of the Men under their Command 
both Names & Condition Monthly, but since I find they have not 
done it, shall see that they do it as soon as possible. 

There has been by my direction two Court Martials, a Copy of their 
Proceedings as far as they transmitted to me I sent to the President. 
I am very Sensible that every Officer has his Friends, and that has 
had so much Weight with me as not to Order a Court Martial although 
ever so necessary but where the Complaint came in writing and that 
from the principal Officers in the Fleet. I wish to God and for the 
good of my Country that no Officer in the Fleet depended on any 
Friend, but their own Merit. 

{65I 



As for the division of the Plunder it gives me no Concern, and I take 
Notice that those who are most Clamourous about that Matter least 
deserves it. 

As for the Officers of the Fleet I believe my Son will not take the 
Command of any Vessel without he might Cruise single, and I have no 
other Friend to recommend, but I wish with all my heart it was in my 
power to recommend such as would fight when it was absolutely 
necessary. 

I am greatly Obliged to you for the kind wish of my Prudence, 
Judgement and Bravery — the Hgnesty you might left out. On the 
whole I am very Sensible there are many men more able to serve the 
common Cause than I am at these Years, in the difficult department 
I am placed in, and if it is in the Committees power to get one of them 
willing to Serve in my Stead, he shall have all the assistance in my 
power to give — and I will still continue to Serve my Country in such 
a way as I think will be most for her Advantage. The several 
difficulties that attend the Navy are too many to mention, & perhaps 
imprudent to Name, it is too much for my Capacity to Surmount; 
and if you be so kind as to use your Interest to get a good Man in 
my Room, although you have done me many favours it is not in 
your power to do me more or greater Service at present. 

The Columbus is near ready to Sail; where I shall Order her to 
Cruise have not yet determined. The Fly goes down to Newport 
to-morrow to take the Cannon ordered from there to Philadelphia. 
The Columbus will take near all the well People save Officers belong- 
ing to the Fleet. 

If I can, shall get the Providence on a Cruise soon. She now is 
Commanded by Lieutenant Jones of the Alfred as he was. the oldest 
Lieutenant. Lieutenant Hacker of the Cabot has had the Command 
of the Fly ever since we took her into the Service, and I think has 
behaved so well as he deserves to be appointed Captain of her. I am 

Your Friend & Brother 
E. H. 

P. S. If you please you may make Publick, all, or such part of 
the above Letter, or not, as your Judgement Shall Suggest. 

To the honble. Stephen Hopkins Esqr. 
At Philadelphia 

{66) 



Newport June nth 1776. 
Sir 

On Receipt of this you are to get what things are absolutely nec- 
essary onboard immediately and what hands are Ready, and come 
directly down here. Captn. Brown will come down with you for a 
Pilot — there is a Small Sloop now off the Harbour of four Carriage 
and twelve Swivel Guns, and about thirty hands. 

If you have not hands enough I shall put as many onboard here 
as is Sufficient 

To John P. Jones Esqr. Yours &c. 

Commander of the Providence — E. H. 

at Providence 

In Marine Committee Philada. May 31. 1776 
Sir 

The Marine Committee have directed Captn. John Bradford their 
Agent in Massachusets Bay to send to this City from Newberry 
Port, One hundred & twenty Chaldron of Coal. You are hereby 
directed to send one of the Armed Vessels under your Command to 
that Port, to take under Convoy and Conduct Safe into Delaware 
Bay the Vessel or Vessels in which the said Coal may be Shipped 

To Esek Hopkins Esqr. &c. John Hancock Chairman 

(Copy) 



Newport June 13th 1776. 
Sir 

You are with the Providence under your Command to go to Sea 
w^th the Sloop and follow the above directions. You may send any 
Vessel into Port for Tryal that you may think are acting detrimentl. 
to the Intt. of the American States. You are first to Convoy the 
Fly as far Westward as Fishers Island, and any Vessels that may be 
at Stonington, back by Point Judah or in Sight of this Harbour. 

To John P. Jones Esqr. E. H. Cr. in Chief. 

Commander of the Providence. 

I671 



Newport June 14th 1776.25 
Sir 

You are to proceed to New York and there deliver the Cannon 
agreeable to Messrs. HoUingsworth & Richardson's Orders. If you 
can get any Men you are to take as many as you can Enlist. You 
are to apply to Mr. Jacobus Vantzantz for Pig Iron for Ballast or 
any other necessarys you want. 

You may call at New London as you come back and take two Guns 
with a Sufficient Quantity of Shot & Cartridges out of the Bomb Brig 
and give Mr. Shaw a Receipt for what you take & return to me as 
soon as possible. 

Your hble Servt. 
To Hoysteed Hacker Esqr. £ tt 

Commander of the Fly 

Newport June i6th 1776. 
Sir 

You are to go to Sea with your Ship as soon as possible and Cruise 
till your Provisions are out or you have weaken'd your Ship by 
Manning Prizes so as to make it unsafe to Cruise in such places on 
our Coast as you may think will be most likely to intercept the 
Enemies to the United Colonies. And you are to take and send into 
Port for tryal all Vessels belonging to or bound to Great Britian and 
all other Vessels with any british property onboard, and all Vessels 
that you may Suspect have a design of Supplying any of the British 
Army or Navy, or the Enemies to the United Colonies. 

You are to Send your Prizes into the first Port you can with most 
Safety within the United Colonies, and transmit to the Marine 
Committee or their Agents, or to me an account of your Circumstances 
as often as may be. 

If you take any Transports you are take the principal Officers 
onboard your Ship. If by distress you are obliged to put into any 
port where the Congress have no Agents, you are to draw on the 
Treasurers of the Congress, or on me, or on any of the Agents for what 
Sum is sufficient to Repair your Ship or for Necessarys. 

E. H. 

To Abraham Whipple Esqr. 
Commander of the Ship Columbus. . 

28The first draft of this letter is in the Hopkins Papers, v. 2, 42. 

I 68 1 



Newport June i6th 1776. 
Sir 

You are to go to Sea with your Brig, as soon as possible and Cruise 
till your Provisions are out or you have weaken'd your Brig by 
Manning Prizes so as to make it unsafe to Cruise, in such Places on 
our Coast as you may think will be most Hkely to intercept the 
Enemies to the United Colonies. And you are to take and send into 
Port for tryal all Vessels belonging to or bound to Great Britain and 
all other Vessels with any british property onboard, and all Vessels 
that you may Suspect have a design of Supplying any of the British 
Army or Navy or the Enemies to the United Colonies. You are to 
Send your Prizes into the first Port within the United Colonies that 
you can with most Safety, and transmit to the Marine Committee or 
their Agents, or to me, an Account of your Circumstances as often 
as may be. 

If you take any Transports you are to take the principal Officers 
onboard your Ship. If by distress you should put into any Port 
where the Congress have no Agents you are to draw on the Treasurers 
of the Congress or on me, or on any of the Agents for what Sum is 
Sufficient to Repair your Brig or for Necessarys. 

To Nichs. Biddle Esqr. E. H. Cr. in Chief. 

Commander of the Brigt. Andrew Doria. 



Providence June 17th 1776. 
Sir 

Mr. Warner comes down and Mr. Brown. I think it will be best 
for you to Order Mr. Dunn to act as Lieutenant in the Room of Mr. 
Josiah29 and for Mr. Browne to Act as Master — but think it will be 
prudent not to give a Commission or Warrent till we hear further from 
Mr. Josiah — for if he returns he must have his old Birth. 

To Nichs. Biddle Esqr. I am your Friend 

Commander of the Andw. Doria. E. H. 



29Lieutenant James Josiah of the Andrew Doria was captured by the British, 
when they retook a transport of which he was prize master. See Neeser, ed., 
The Despatches of Molyneux Shuldham, 273, 277. See letter from Hopkins to 
Josiah, Sept. 2, 1776, in Part I. 

I69I 



Providence June i8th 1776.3° 
Sir 

I have receiv'd advice that the British Ships are drove out of 
Boston Bay. I think that Harbour the Safest to send any Prizes you 
may take any where to the Eastward of the Shoals — there was a Ship 
and a Brig taken by the Connecticut Brig and four Schooners yes- 
terday with 210 Soldiers onboard — the Ship had ten Six Pounders 
and fought well. 



To Abrahm. Whipple Esqr. 


I am in haste 




Commr. of the Columbus. 




Your Friend 
E. H. 



Providence June i8th 1776. 
Sir 

I have receiv'd Orders that you proceed to Boston in the room of 
Newberry Port, you are to make all the dispatch there you can. 
The Ships of War are move out of that Bay and I believe that Port 
is the Safest to send Prizes in of any on the Continent. 

To John P. Jones Esqr. Yours &c. 

Commr. of the Providence E. H. 



Providence June i8th 1776. 
Sir 

I have receiv'd intelligence that the british Ships are drove out of 
Boston Bay, and that two Transports are taken with 210 Soldiers 
onboard — think it will be best if you should take any Prizes Eastward 
of the Shoals it Safest to send them to boston. 

Should the Providence not get to Boston where she is Order'd you 
will call on Mr. John Bradford and take a Vessel Loaded with Coal 
& Convoy to the Capes of Philadelphia or into the River. 

To Nichs. Biddle Esqr. I am your Friend 

Commander of the Andrew Doria. E. H. 



30The first draft of this letter is in the Hopkins Papers, v. 2, 43. 

1 70) 



Providence June i8th 1776. 
Sir 

I receiv'd your Letter of the 17th instant. I had before given 
Captn. Jones of the Providence Orders to Sail for Newberry Port.^i 
Shall send express immediately to Newport if she is not Sail'd to 
proceed directly to Boston — there being no Coal to be had in this 
Government think it will be best to get what you can with you. 
Please to Send a Line to Captn. Jones of the Providence to Newberry 
Port to come to Boston, or where you think best if he has Sail'd 
before my Express arrives at Newport. 

You will be good enough to Supply any of the Continental Vessels 
under my Command with any necessarys they may want. 

To Mr. John Bradford I am with great Respect 

Agent for the Fleet Your humbl. Servt. 

Boston. E. H. 



Providence June 19th. 1776. 
Gentlemen 

Herewith you have the Muster Rolls as deliver'd to me of the 
Alfred, Columbus, Andrew Doria, Providence and Fly — the Cabots 
Captn. Hopkins tells me he Sent to Mr. James Reed Pay master a 
day or two before the Brig Sail'd and it will not be in his power to 
send any further Account till the Brig comes in. 

You also have a Copy of the Account Captn. Biddle give of his I 
believe unsuccessful Cruise. You likewise have Copies of all the 
Orders I have given the several Commxanders since I came in here — 
also a list of the Warrants and Commissions given to Officers in the 
several Vessels — Lieutt. Hinman, Lieutt. Grinnel & Lieutt. Phipps's 
Commissions and Joseph Shields & Saml. Tiley's Warrants were 
given in Consequence of Captn. Saltonstalls promise before he left 
Connecticut if they came and brought the Men which we receiv'd 
below Reedy Island — ^As also the Account of Commissions deliver'd 
up to me and those that are discharged and diserted. 

The Columbus is gone out a Cruise — the Providence and Fly went 
out but were drove in by a Ship supposed to be the Cerberus — 
whether they are gone out since I can't tell, but I believe not without 



3ijune 13, 1776, in Part I. 

I71I 



they went this day. The Andrew Doria will go out in a day or two. 
I shall go down with the Alfred in two or three days to Newport and 
there Mann her if possible, though am in doubt whether I shall be 
able without help from the Commanding Officer there for some of his 
Men. The General Assembly gave me twenty Men for the Provi- 
dence & twenty for the Columbus to enable me to Send them out who 
are to be Return'd when the Cruise is over. I think it will be im- 
possible to mann the New Ships without taking them out of the Army, 
or a General Embargo which will be in my Opinion much more for 
the pubhck Good — the Enemy taking so many Merchant Vessels will 
in time get almost all the Seamen in their hands besides supplying 
them with Provisions when if encouraged small Privateers would 
bring in more Goods, and if taken would be of no advantage to them 
save the Men they took in them. It is not possible to get Seamen 
while the Merchant Vessels give 12, 14 & some 16 dollars pr month. 

I think you will soon find it necessary to order to be Condemn'd 
all Vessels bound to Great Britain, Newfoundland and Hallifax, 
where ever Own'd as they soon will have all the Vessels and Goods 
Covered as West India Property when we know that they never send 
none without Insurance in England. 

You likewise have a Copy of an Agreement Signed by the Ship 
Alfred's Officers & most of the Company, similar Articles were 
Sign'd by the Columbus, Andrew Doria, Cabot, Providence & Fly's 
Ofiicers and Company some few People onboard each Vessel excepted. 
I am in some doubt whether it may not cause some disputes without 
the Congress will interfere and Resolve that the Articles shall be 
Strictly adhered to by the whole of the several Ships Crews. 

Lieutt. Hacker has Commanded the Fly ever since we took her into 
Service, and has behaved so well that I think he deserves a Captains 
Commissn. from you. Lieutenant Hinman is now out in the Cabot 
as Commander of her and I beHeve is a good Officer, and I can't tell 
where you can mend it if you should give him a Captains Commission. 
Mr. Jones as the oldest Lieutenant now Commands the Providence 
who I hope will behave so well as to be continued. 

Inclosed you have a Copy of what Money I have Advanc'd to 
particular People which should be lodg'd with the Pay Master — 
the Money Advanc'd by the several Commanders and some by 
Mr. Shaw to the Seamen I have not been able to get from them Save 
the Cabots which Mr. Reed has had some time. 

{72) 



You also have an Account of what Cannon & Stores were deliver'd 
at New London & Rhode Island together with a Copy of a Letter 
just Receiv'd from Captn. Whipple of the Columbus. 

I send these by Captn. Nicholas who I have given leave to go to 
Philada. partly on his own business and partly with design that he 
may give you any information which you may think necessary to be 
inform'd of which may have Slip'd my attention as I think him very 
Capable of giving you an impartial history of our whole proceedings. 

I am with great Respect 

Gentlemn. Your humbl. Servt. 

E. H. 
To the honble. John Hancock Esqr. 
President of the Marine Committee 
at Philada. 



Providence June 2oth. 1776. 
Sir 

I receiv'd yours of the 24th May and through a Continual hurry 
found no Opportunity to answer it before. I am greatly Oblig'd to 
you for the Intelligence you give me in it. I have nothing New to 
acquaint you with save that the Brig Andrew Doria has taken two 
Transports with two hundred Men onboard, and I believe they are 
both Retaken by the Men of War in coming in here. We have lost 
twenty four Seamen by the bargain, and have in their Room four 
Scotch Officers and twenty six of the Ships Crews, with about One 
hundred broad Swords, and One hundred & sixty Small Arms which 
Captn. Biddle took out. 

Captn. Whipple had a small Engagement the day before Yesterday 
in which he lost one Man, with the Cerberus of 28 Guns & 6 small 
ditto on the Quarter Deck, and Forecastle — there is three Frigates 
round Block Island which makes it difficult to get in or out as our 
Force is not Sufficient to Engage them. Shall endeavour to make 
some other Rendezvous as soon as I can get the Vessels all out, at 
present think Boston the best I can find on this Coast. 

I must request the favour of you to indulge three of your Soldiers 
with not Rating them as deserters vizt. James Dement, Andrew 
Ingersol and Edmund Parsons belonging (to Captn. Warners Com- 



{73I 



pany in Coll. Li tie's Regiment) who went out in the Cabot, and two of 
them came back again in a Prize Ship sent in by the Cabot a few 
days ago and they tell me as soon as the Ship is discharg'd they will 
Return to the Regiment — they have behaved so well, Should be Sorry 
they should loose any Wages that may be due to them. Should be 
glad of your directions in that matter whether I must send them back 
directly or Continue them on Service here. 

I am with Regard 

Sir Your most Obedt. Humbl. Servt. 

E. H. 
To Nathaniel Green Esqr. 
Brig. General of the Continl. Troops 
at New York 

Providence June 20th. 1776.32 
Sir 

Herewith I send a Letter directed to you from the Congress, 
should it reach you hope you will immediately take such Steps as 
you may be able to Satisfy the Congress with your Conduct. Captn. 
Saltonstall and myself are both ordered there to Account for our 
Conduct. Shall take pleasure in your Company. 

Must beg you to be exact in your State of the Ship and People 
onboard her, and as the Ship can't go on a Cruise you will Land the 
Men you had of Colonel Richmond. I am 

To Abraham Whipple Esqr. Your Friend & hble Servt. 

Commander of the Columbus E. H. 



Newport 



Providence June 2otb 1776.33 



Sir 

I have just receiv'd Orders from Congress to repair to Philada. 
immediately, and as I believe Captn. Saltonstall & Captn. Whipple 
are likewise Order'd there the Command of the Fleet devolves on 
you as oldest Officer. 

^^ Journals of the Continental Congress, June 13, 1776. 

33The first draft of this letter is in the Hopkins Papers, v. 2, 43. 

I74l 



Should be glad you take the most prudent Steps to Conduct the 
same in such Manner as will be most for the Public Good — be careful 
that you take no Steps with the Ships 'till further Orders from Congress. 

You are Hkewise to transmit to me immediately an Account of the 
State of your Brigs Stores, of every kinds of Provisions, a list of the 
effective and non-effected Men, and in short every thing relative to 
the Vessel under your your Command. ^^ And likewise you will 
order the other Commanders Captn. Jones & Captn. Hacker to do 
the same, and you will transmit them with your own as soon as in 
your power. 

To Nicholas Biddle Esqr. I am Your Friend &c. 

Commander of the Andrew Doria E. H. 

at Newport 

Philadelphia July gth 1776. 
Sir 

I receiv'd yours of the 5th instant and think you are pretty well 
hemm'd in — think it best you should keep your Vessel in the best 
posture of defence you can, and asist the Common Cause all in your 
Power with your Sloop — but should it so happen that you can't 
help falUng into Enemy's hands you are to destroy the Sloop rather 
than let them get her. 

You will continue thereabouts and do what Service you can until 
further Orders. You may draw for any Supplys you may want. 

To Hoysteed Hacker Esqr. I am Sir 

Commander of the Fly Your Friend &c 

At Brunswick or Amboy. E. H. 



Providence Septr. ist 1776. 
Gentlemen 

I stoppd at Newhaven on Wednesday, and found the Brig Hampden 
near ready for the Sea as Mr. Lawrence inform'd me all but Men and 
Officers which she had none. Captn. Hacker had not got there. I 
left Orders for him when he came, to get as many men as would be 
sufficient and come with the Brig to New London. I came to New 



34These lists were sent June 28, 1776. Part II, 46. 

{75I 



London thursday Morning, did not find Mr. Shaw at home but 
learn'd that the Schooner^s and Bomb Brig were both Sold with all 
their Stores — So that at present I do not know of any Vessel that 
can be had that will answer. How Mr. Shaw came to Sell them 
and their Stores, or by whose Orders I can't tell. I likewise found 
the Cabot was gone out on a Cruise. She had been gone out about 
a Week, and have no knowledge how long she is to Cruise nor by 
what authority Captn. Hinman could undertake to go out, as he had 
my Orders when I left New London for Philadelphia not to go to Sea 
without he receiv'd Orders from the Marine Committee or from me.^^ 

I came here yesterday — have not yet seen Captn. Saltonstall, but 
hear the Alfred is about five miles below with about forty Men 
including Officers onboard — having Spared Some to Captn. Biddle, 
and a Number to Captn. Whipple, who sail'd on a Cruise in four 
days after he got home, with One hundred & Seventy eight Men 
onboard. 

As soon as I get a little over the Fatigue of my Journey, shall set 
myself about Manning the Alfred. Should be glad to know when 
I get her ready whether I may Send her out under the Command of 
her Lieutenant Mr. Jonathan Pitcher, who I believe to be a prudent 
Capable Man. Should be glad of your Sentiments to know whether 
you approve of Captn. Hinman's Sailing with the Cabot, as I believe 
he has gone without Orders from any Person. Mr. House who you 
appointed Lieutt. of the Brig. Hampden is gone out in the Columbus — 
if you think proper to appoint Mr. Walter Spooner a second Lieu- 
tenant, that he may act as first untill House gets onboard, I believe 
it will be best for the Service. 

I am Gentlemn. 

Your most humbl. Servt. 
E. H. 

PS. I hear a Sloop of Dunmores is carried 

into the Eastward by one of there Privateers 
Loaded with Tobacco. 

To the honble. John Hancock Esqr. 
President of the Marine Committee 
at Philadelphia 

35The Marine Committee had directed that the schooner be fitted for sea, and 
named the *' Hopkins." See Part II, 50. 

36See Hopkins' orders to Biddle, June 20, 1776, in Part I. 

{76} 



Providence Septr. 2nd 1776." 
Sir 

I am order'd by the Marine Committee to get the Valuation of the 
Stores that I brought from New Providence, and as part of them 
was sent to New York by your Order should be glad you would 
Order Mr. Knox, or some other of your Officers to put a Value on 
them, and order them to transmit such Valuation to me as soon as 
Convenient. 

Sir Should be extremely oblig'd to you if you have Settled a Cartell 
with Admiral or General Howe, if you would endeavour to get one Mr. 
Henry Hawkings, who was taken out of the Sloop L'Aaimable Marie 
Peter Douville Master the 20th May last, off Shrewsberry Inlet near 
Sandy Hook, and I beHeve is now onboard the Phoenix, and I hear 
acts as a common hand. He is young man and a near kinsman of 
mine, and his Father and Mother are very Anxious to get him 
Exchang'd. 

I can send a Prisoner of almost any Rank that may required for 
him. 

Your assistance in this matter will very much oblige. 

To his Excelly. Sir 

George Washington Esqr. Your most Humbl. Servt. 

Commander in Chief of the American Army E. H. 

at New York 



Providence Septr. 2nd 1776. 
Sir 

I receiv'd your Letter yesterday — have enquired and find Mr. 
Charles Elden is now at North Hampton — make no doubt but shall 
be able to procure him as soon as Captn. Symonds has leave to 
Exchange you — please to let me know by a Hne and I will send 
Irmnediately for him and send him to Block Island if Captn. Symonds 
gives his Word a Boat may come Safe. 

There is a Number of Officers Prisoners now in this Government — 
if there is any more Men onboard that belong'd to the Continental 
Fleet, should be glad to Exchange them. 



3'The first draft of this letter is in the Hopkins Papers, v. 2, 43. 

{77I 



I have applied to Congress and they have given General Wash- 
ington directions to get you Exchang'd if in his Power with Admiral 
Howe. 

To Mr. James Josiah I am 

onboard the Ship Cerberus, off Your Friend 

Block Island. E. H. 

Providence September gth 1776. 
Sir 

I received yours — and now acquaint you that I had directions from 
the Marine Board to offer you the Command of a Schooner which 
they made no doubt was in New London, and directed Mr. Shaw 
their Agent there to preserve her which can't be done as the Schooner 
is gone.38 If Mr. Shaw procures any other in her Room shall fit her 
out — ^but I have no Orders to buy a Vessel myself — that matter 
being entrusted to their Agent Mr. Shaw. If any thing offers shall 
acqut. you. I shall be at New London in a few days, when I shall 
be able to inform you with more certainty, in the mean time I am 

To Captn. Samuel Chew Your humble Servt. 

At Newhaven. E. H. 



Providence Septemr. 9th 1776. 
Sir 

I receiv'd yours and desire you will Supply Captn. Hacker with 
every thing that may be necessary to enable him to get with dispatch 
his Vessel ready to Cruise. As to purchasing the Schooner you best 
can tell, as you had directions in procuring the Vessel. My Instructions 
is to Mann her and Order her where to Cruise. I have no Orders to 
buy or to direct any other Person to buy. Perhaps you would do 
well to write to the Marine Committee for Orders in that matter as I 
beHeve they had no apprehension of any Warlike Vessel, Guns, or 
Stores of any kind being Sold without their especial Orders so to do. 

I expect to come to New London soon am, 

To Mr. Nathl. Shaw jr. Sir 

Agent for the Continentl. Fleet Your humbl. Servt. 

at New London. E. H. 



38See Part II, 50 and Part I, letter to Hancock, Sept. i, 1776. 

{ 78 1 



Providence Septembr. gth 1776. 
Sir 

I receiv'd yours of the 5th instt. and observe that you think your 
Vessel is in bad Order. If it is necessary, direct you as soon as 
possible to Grave, or clean the Brig and fit her for the Sea with 5 or 6 
Months provisions onboard. Mr. Shaw will Supply you with every 
thing necessary. I shall come to New London soon and give Some 
directions about filling up your Officers. 

To Hoysteed Hacker Esqr. I am 

Commander of the Hampden Your Friend 

at New London. E. H. 



Providence Septembr. loth 1776.39 
Gentlemen 

Inclosed you have Copies of Captn. Hacker & Mr. Shaws Letters, 
by which you will know Circumstance of the Brig and the Schooner 
which Mr. Shaw was to purchase. The Alfred is this day going to 
Newport there to be hove down, as upon examining find her Bottom 
so foul that she will not do well to Cruise untill Clean'd. The 
Andrew Doria has sent in here two Brigs, One from Dunmore with 
Salt, Tobacco, Rice and Flour, One Phaeton and Chaise bound to 
Antigua — the other with fifty hogsheads Rum from Barbados to the 
Land. Captn. Biddle had also taken a Ship with 15,000 bushs. 
Wheat which Lieutt. McDougall thinks was bound to the Westward. 

There has also arrived in this Port this week a large Ship loaded 
with Sugar from Grenada, and a Brig with Rum from Antigua taken 
by the Sloop Independance of this Place. 

The People onboard Captn. Biddies Prizes informs, that they left 
the Columbus in Lattd. 36 — and when they parted a Sixty Gun Ship 
was in Chace of her. 

The whole attention of Merchants and Seamen at present seems 
to be on Privateering through the whole New England Colonies, 
any Small Carriage Guns will now Sell at the extraordinary Price of 
400 Dollars pr Ton. 



39The first draft of this letter is in the Hopkins Papers, v. 2, 44. 

{79I 



I believe if you was to give the same Prize Money which is one half as 
they do, it would be a great deal easier to Mann the Continental Vessels. 

To the honble. John Hancock Esqr. I am with great Regard 

President of the Marine Committee Your most humbl. Servt. 

At Philadelphia. E. H. 

Providence Septembr. 22nd 1776. 
Sir 

When I left you, I went to New London and see your Ship, and 
came from there here, and I am of Opinion that the two Frigates 
here will be ready for the Sea by the time your Ship will be ready, 
if it is possible to Mann them. If I receive no Orders to the Contrary 
from the Marine Committee by my Brother, who I expect every hour 
Shall be ready to follow any Orders or Advice you may think best to 
give me respecting their Operation. 

To the hon. Jonathan Trumbull Esqr. I am with great Respect 

Governor of Connecticut Sir 

at Your most hble Servt. 

Lebannon. E. H. 



Providence Septr. 22nd. 1776. 
Gentlemen 

Since my last I have been to See Governor Trumbull on the business 
of his Letter to me, a Copy of which you have Inclosed — from there 
I went to New London which place I left the 19th instant. Captn. 
Hacker is there with the Hampden, he has Graved her and she will 
be Ready for Sea in a few days but not full mann'd. Have Order'd 
her round to Newport there to join the Alfred who I expect will be 
Clean'd and ready for the Sea in a Week. The two Frigates here will 
be ready for Sea in a week or 10 days, but it will be very difl&cult to 
mann any of them without you will make the Chance of Prize Money 
as good as they get in the Privateers, which is one half and large 
Sums advanc'd to the People before they go to Sea. 

I expect Governor Hopkins every day, hope he will bring with him 
the Commissions for the Officers of the New Ships. The Alfred and 
Hampden Shall send as soon as possible on the Station you Order'd, 
and if Governor Hopkins brings no other Orders for the New Frigates 

I801 



I think it will be the best Use they can be put too to attempt to clear 
the Sound with them as Governor Trumbull advises^o — as that if 
effected will give great ease to Supplying our Army near New York. 

Since I wrote you there has arrived here seven or eight valuable 
Prizes Sent in by the Privateers out of this place — and a Brig Captn. 
Biddle's Prize was taken by the Cerberus, a few days ago the people 
got onshore in their Boat, and one Sett out for Philadelphia. There 
is a Report that a Prize Brig taken by the Columbus was Spoke with 
a few days ago. 

Inclosed you have a List of the Privateers out of this Place, them 
that are call'd Letters of Marque expected to get mann'd in the French 
Islands. You likewise have a List of the Prizes brought in here. 

To the honble. John Hancock Esqr. I am with great Respect 
Presidt. of the Marine Committee Gentlemn. 

at Philadelphia. Your most humb. Servt. 

E. H. 

Providence Septr. 24th 1776.41 

A Ship arrived here yesterday of 8 Iron & 8 wooden Guns, of 360 
Tons, taken by Captn. Munro in Lattd. 33 — Longd. 55. The Prize 
Master informs that a day or two after he left the Privateer he saw a 
Brig and a Sloop both Armed. He is certain the Brig was Captn. 
Harding — they both stood for the Ship, till he knew the Brig when 
he hawl'd up his Courses & hove too — when they spoke with each 
other and stood off — the Reason he does not know. 

To Mr. Nathl. Shaw jr. I am 

New London. Sir 

Your humble Servt. 
E. H. 

P ■. Providence Septembr. 30th 1776.^2 

Inclosed you have a Copy of the Account Captn. Whipple gave me 
of his Cruise who arrived here Yesterday in the Columbus, and a 

*°For additional correspondence on this subject, see Collections of the Rhode 
Island Historical Society, VI, 169-173; also Part II, 53. 

4iThe first draft of this letter is in the Hopkins Papers, v. 2, 44. 
^The first draft of this letter is in the Hopkins Papers, v, 2, 44. 

{81I 



Copy of a Letter I receivd this day from Mr. Goddard. the Colum- 
bus is very foul, shall order her to Newport the first fair Wind to 
clean. The Hampden & Alfred ale Ready all but Men, which I have 
not been able to get a sufficient number yet. The new Ships are 
down the River with about One hundred Men each, but as there are 
so many Privateers a fitting out which give more encouragement as 
to Shares; it makes it difficult to mann the Continental Vessels. 

There is some Small Arms arrived here belonging to the Continent, 
Imported by Messrs. Nicholas Browne & Company, Should be glad 
of an Order for them for the New Ships, as I expect to get Orders from 
the Committee of this State to Enlist Men out of their Troops when 
they meet, which will be this week. 

I am 

Gentlemn. 
Your most Obedt. humbl. Sert 

E H 

To the honble. John Hancock Esqr. 

President of the Marine Committee 
at Philadelphia. 

Providence October ist 1776. 
Sir 

I receiv'd yours of the 20th Septembr. (yesterday) and am very 
much Oblig'd to you for your Address and advice, and as to your 
Complaints of the Morals of the People belonging to the Navy I am 
now to let you know that I did not enter into the Na\^ as a Divine, 
and that I am not qualified to Act nor give directions in that matter, 
the Congress whom I serve made provision for a Chaplain to perform 
that necessary duty, but to my Mortification I have not been able to 
get a single Man to act in that Character although I have applied to 
many. If you know of any that has the good of Mankind at heart 
Sufficient to expose himself to necessary Danger of that Service should 
be glad you would Send him who you may depend shall be treated 
with due Respect. And if none can be procured I cannot but Condole 
with you the depravity of the times. 

To the Revd. Samuel Hopkins I am^ with great Respect 

Pastor of the First Congregational Church Sir 

at Newport Your humbl Servt. 

E. H. 
{82I 



Providence October 5th i776.« 
Sir 

I receiv'd yours of the ist & 3rd of this Instant, and have laid them 
before the Governor & Council, and they have passed the inclosed 
Resolves. 

The Alfred and Hamden are Ready — the two new Frigates I expect 
will be ready in about a week if they can be mann'd, which none of 
the four are half at present. 

I shall do all in my Power to forward your Expedition, ^'^ and join 
your Fleet when ever you give Orders so to do at New London — but 
expect you will Excuse me to the Congress for not putting their 
Orders in Execution with Respect to some of the Fleet. I am with 
great Respect 

To the honble. Jonathn. Trumbull Esqr. Sir 

Governor of Connecticut Your humbl Servt. 

at Lebannon. E. H. 

. Providence October 5th 1776." 

Captn. Whipple shew'd me a Letter from you respecting the 
Agency of the People belonging to the Fleet. This is therefore to 
Impower you to Act as their Agent untill further Orders, although 
you are a total Stranger, any otherwise than being appointed by the 
honorable Continental Congress, We think it a Sufficient Recommenda- 
tion to Impower you to act as our Agent as Long as you act to our 
Satisfaction. 

In behalf of the Officers and Men in the Navy, I am 

To Mr. John Bradford Sir 

Agent for the Continental Fleet Your most humbl. Servt. 

at Boston E. H. 



„. Newport October 14th 1776.^^ 

You are with the Brigantine Hamden under your Command to go 
out on a Cruise, and endeavour all in your Power to distress the 

^3The first draft of this letter is in the Hopkins Papers, v. 2, 44. 
^^See footnote 40. 

^^The first draft of this letter is in the Hopkins Papers, v. 2, 45. 
^^The first draft of this let,tter is in the Hopkins Papers, v. 2, 45. 



{83I 



Enemies of the United States of America. You are to Take all 
Vessels with Goods, bound to any of the Enemies Ports, and send 
such of them into Port for Tryal as you shall judge worth your while; 
and others you may Destroy, first taking the People out. 

You may Cruise as Long as you can Conveniently keep your Vessel 
fit for that Service. I think you will do your Country most good by 
Cruising in such places as will be most likely to meet with the Store 
Ships bound to New York for the Supply of General Howes Army. 

My Orders''^ was to Send you to Annoy the Trade at Newfound- 
land but I imagine that is too late. If you should think proper to go 
that way it will be best to Steer down in the Lattitude of about 39 or 40 
which I think will be the likelyiest to meet with Vessels bound to 
New York. 

To Hoysteed Hacker Esquire I am 

Commander of the Brigantine Hamden Sir 

in the Service of the United States of Your Friend 

North America. E. H. 



Newport Rhode Island October 14th. 1776*' 
Gentlemen 

The bearer Captn. Israel Ambrose who has a Letter of Credit, from 
Messrs. Brown, Arnold, Salter and Wall — if it should Suit your 
Convenience to Supply the Captain with any Goods or Money, you 
may depend, that the above Merchants are Men of Estate and 
Veracity, and you may Safely give them Credit for such Sum as 
they Require. 

As to News there is none more than you will find in the Newspapers 
the Captain will have with him. 

I flatter myself that I have been some Service to the Inhabitants 
of your Island, by getting your Vessels and Property left out of the 
declaration which the Congress made against the Property of British 
Subjects. 

To Messrs. Dunscome & Frazer I am with Esteem 

Merchants Gentlmn. 

in New Providence Your humble Servant 
E. H. 

^^Orders issued August 22. 

^^The first draft of this letter is in the Hopkins Papers, v. 2, 45. 



{84I 



Newport October 15th. 1776.49 
Sir 

I receiv'd yours of the nth Instant, ^o and can assure you that there 
is no sort of Shot to be had in this State, as they Sent to Boston and 
could get but a bare Sufficiency for the New Ships. Have Order'd 
the Hamden out to gain Intelligence — the Columbus is now a Grav- 
ing — the new Ships and Alfred are ready, all but Men, which we must 
have three hundred at least for them — and one hundred for the 
Colimibus, before we are able to Engage Ships of equal Force — and 
it will be with difiiculty the Officers can be got willing to go out, 
without being full Mann'd and I see but little Encouragement of 
getting them Mann'd in this State. 

If you will use your Influence that we may get some Men out of 
the Army soon, as we wait for nothing else, it will be of great Service. 
I have been down here ten days in Order to Enlist Men out of the 
Forces here, and have not been able to get more than about One 
hundred and twenty — nor don't see any possibiHty of getting many 
more. Mr. Shaw will be able to give you any further Information 
as to the Circumstances of the Ships here — and when the present 
appearance alters, shall acquaint you. 

I am with great Regard 

Sir, Your humble Servant 

F IT 

To the honble. Jonathan Trumbull Esquire 

Governor of the State of Connecticut, 
pr. Mr. Shaw. at Lebannon. 

^.. Newport October i6th. 1776.51 

Upon Receipt of this you are to go up Swansey River, and Take 
the Privateer Sloop Captn. Dennis, who I have Intelligence has got 
some of our Men belonging to the Fleet — and bring the Sloop and all 
the Men you find onboard of her in to Newport harbour. And for 
so doing this Shall be your sufl&cient Authority. 

To Hoysteed Hacker Esqr. E. H. Cr. in Chief. 

Commander of the Hamden. 



^^The fiist draft of this letter is in the Hopkins Papers , v. 2, 45. 

soPartll, 53. 

siThe first draft of this letter is in the Hopkins Papers, v. 2, 45. 

1 85) 



Newport October i8th. 1776.52 
Sir 

The Owners of Captn. Dennis's Sloop have deliver'd two of the 
Men which Sign'd their Articles, and have given sufficient Security 
that they will not carry away any of the Men belonging to the Fleet. 
If you find any Men onboard that do belong to the Fleet take them 
out and then discharge the Sloop, as there are some of the Owners 
that are Men of honour & will not do any such thing it will be hard 
that they should Suffer for one Man who has behaved out of Char- 
acter. So that upon the whole think it best to let the Sloop and her 
People go. 

I am 

Your Friend &c. 
E. H. 
To John P. Jones Esqr. Commr. of the Providence 

or 
Hoysteed Hacker Esqr. Commr. of the Hamden. 



Newport October 19th 1776" 
Sir 

I understand by Captn. Jones that there is some Junk and Sails 
onboard the Prize Ship which he sent in to Bedford — and as them 
Articles are much wanted onboard several of the Continental Vessels 
in this Port Should be glad you would Send all those Articles more 
than barely for the Ship by the first Opportunity to this place to me, 
or in my absence to Mr. John Manley deputy Agent here- — and by 
so doing you will forward the Service. 

I am Sir 

Your humble Servt. 
E. H. 
To John Bradford Esqr. Agent for the 
Massachusetts, or in his absence to his Deputy 
at Bedford. 



62The first draft of this letter is in the Hopkins Papers, v. 2, 46. 
53The first draft of this letter is in the Hopkins Papers, v. 2, 46. 



{86 



Newport October 22nd 1776. 
Sir 

You are directed to go onboard the Alfred and take the Command 
of her and go to Sea with her and the Hamden Captn. Hacker, who 
will be directed to keep Company with you, and follow your direc- 
tions. You will form such Signals, and appoint such Rendezvous, as 
you think will best answer the end of keeping Company. 

You are to Take all british Vessels, and all Vessels bound to any 
Port under the Jurisdiction of the King of Great Britain, except 
Bermudas and New Providence. You are with the Force under 
your Command, to endeavour all in your power to destroy all the 
Coal Vessels you may find at, or near the Coal Mines at the Island 
of Cape Breton ;54 and do all in your Power to Relieve a number of our 
Unfortunate brethren who are Prisoners, and employed in that 
cruel and hard Service. When that is effected and the Weather will 
permit, you are to Cruise for Transports, and other Vessels bound to 
Canada, or go to Newfoundland and destroy as much of the Fishery 
as you possibly can; if you think the Season not too far advanced. 
And when you think the Season too Cold for that Station, you may 
Cruise as long as you well can for Transports bound from Great 
Britain to New York. You m.ay Send any Vessels into Port for 
Tryal, that you may think are acting detrimental to the Interest of 
the American States. Such Vessels as you may Take, which you 
think are not worth your while, or may not be Convenient to send 
into Port, You may destroy (first taking the hands out). 

My advice is when your Cruise is over, that you return in to some 
Port in New England in order for a Winters Expedition. 

You will send your Prizes in to such Ports in the United States of 
America as you judge you can get them in with most Safety. You 
may if you please send a proper Person in a Prize, if you should take 
any one fit for that purpose to some Port in France; and there to 
Sell her and Cargo, and purchase some small Armed Vessel, and with 
the Over plus money Lade onboard her such Goods as may answer 



64The reason for this order is given in a letter from Hopkins to Hancock, Oct. 24, 
1776, in Part I. 



I87I 



best, for the Supply of the Navy or Army; first ballasting her with 
Sulphur. You giving him Orders for that Purpose. 

I am with Respect 

Your Friend & humble Servt. 
E. H. Cr. in Chief. 

To John P. Jones Esqr. Commander of the Ship Alfred 
in the Service of the United States of 
North America. 

Newport October 22nd 1776.55 
Sir 

You are to go to Sea with the Hamden under your Command, in 
Company with the Alfred, and take and follow such directions as 
you may receive from time to time from Captn. Jones respecting 
your Cruise. If you should part with the Alfred by accident, you 
are to do all in your power to join her — ^but should you not be able 
to join You are to cruise as long as you can in such Station, as you 
think will be most likely to intercept the Provision Vessels from Great 
Britain bound either to Canada or New York. 

You may destroy any Ship or Ship or Ships which you cannot easily 
mann and send in to Port (first taking out the hands). You will send 
your Prizes in to such Ports as you judge you can with most Safety 
get them in to any of the United States of America. 

E. H. Cr. in Chief. 

To Hoysteed Hacker Esqr. Commander of the 
Brigantine Hamden — in the Service of the 
United States of North America. 



Newport October 22nd. 1776.56 
Sir 

The above and annex'd is a Hst of what Goods belonged to the 
Captain and Passengers onboard the Ship Ester sent in to Deptford 
by the Cabot — and as it has been Customary in this State for the 



55The first draft of this letter is in the Hopkins Papers, v. 2, 46. 
56The first draft of this letter is in the Hopkins Papers, v. 2, 47. 

188 1 



Captains to have their private Adventures, and the Agent here has 
always delivered it by my Consent — and as the above Lists does not 
to me seem unreasonable — I think you will do well do deliver the 
same to the Persons they belong too and you may depend that in so 
doing you will do but right. 

Lieutt. Weaver acquants me that the Men onboard the Prize 
Ship Ester wants some Supplys, these are therefore to desire you to 
Supply him with Sufficient* Money for that purpose and take his 
Receipt and Charge it to the Continent. I am &c. 

To John Bradford Esqr. Agent for the Continent E. H. 

in the State of Massachusetts Bay at Deptford 
or in his absence to his Deputy there. 



Newport October 24th. 1776. 
Sir 

Upon the Tryal of Samuel Erlom, and Thomas Donehoe for 
Mutiny onboard the Ship Royal Exchange, it appeared that the 
Mutiny was encouraged or put on foot by the former Captn. of her; 
in which he Employ'd his Steward to promise them twenty Guineas 
a Man, and half the Ship and Cargo when they should arrive in 
England. And on this Intelligence I think it will be right for you, at 
least to stop his private Adventure, 'till that matter is clear'd up. 
Sir you are hereby Impowered to act as Agent for the Officers & 
People belonging to the American Fleet, for all Vessels that may come 
within your State. I am in behalf of the officers and People 

Sir Your most humble Servt. 
E. H. 
To John Langdon Esqr. Agent for the American 
Navy in the State of New Hampshire. 



Newport October 24th 1776. 
Gentlemen 

Since I wrote you last, Captn. Jones in the Providence has arrived 
here with three Prizes, and one Ship is arrived at Bedford. Inclosed 
is a Copy of the Account of his Cruise that he gave me. The Cabot 



I89I 



has sent one Ship in to Providence and yesterday Lieutt. Weaver of 
the Cabot came here from Bedford, where he arrived two days ago in 
another Prize Ship — he informs me that when he left the Cabot she 
had taken five Ships and a Brig all from Jamaica — one of them a 
three decker with upwards of Six hund. hogsheads onboard. 

The Alfred is now Mann'd and mider Sailing Orders with the 
Hamden. Captn. Jones of the Providence has the Command of her. 
Inclosed you have a Copy of the Orders I have given him, and hope 
they are such as will meet with your approbation. The Reason of 
my giving Orders to Captn. Jones to attempt to destroy the Ships 
and their Works at the Coal Mines was, that I receiv'd certain 
IntelKgence by a Master of a Vessel directly from there, that there 
was near twenty Vessels, and one hundred Prisoners employed in that 
Service; guarded by twenty six Soldiers, the Savage Sloop of War 
and Dawsons Brig — and one of them generally at Louisburgh. One 
of the New Ships came down from Providence yesterday, the other 
got aground, but I expect her down here the first fair Wind. They 
are nearly fitted every way for the Sea, all but Men, which they have 
about one hundd. and fifty each. Shall now give my whole attention 
to their Manning. 

If you have any particular Service for them, should be glad to 
receive it. I think they will be ready to Sail as soon as your Orders 
can reach here; and I hope near Mann'd. 

The Columbus is Clean'd, taking her ballast onboard. Rigging and 
fitting as fast as possible. The Sloop Providence will haul in to the 
Wharf to morrow in order to clean. Shall get them out as soon as 
possible, but expect to meet with great difficulty in getting Men — 
the Privateers being so plenty, and having great Success that the 
Men look on their Shears better than what they have in the Navy. 

I am with great Respect 
Gentlemen 
Your most humble Servant 
E. H. 

To the Honble. John Hancock Esqr. 
President of the hon. Marine Committee 
at Philadelphia. 

I90I 



Ne^-port October 30th. 1776. 
Sir 

You are to take your Officers and Men, and go onboard the Pro\d- 
dence and so much of her Stores as are absolutely necessary, and 
follow the Orders which you receiv'd to go in the Hamden — and leave 
the Hamden under care of Captn. Joseph Olney in order to be Re- 
paired, and deliver him an accot. of the Stores that you leave in her, 
and also an Account of what you take out of her for the Providence. 

To Hoysteed Hacker Esqr. Yours &c. 

now Commander of the E. H. Cr. in Chief. 

Sloop Pro\ddence 

^ , Pro^ddence November 2nd i776.'^' 

Gentlemen 

I left Ne\\port the 26th October last. The Alfred & Hamden 
were then under Sail going out, but on the 28th I receiv'd a Letter 
from Captn. Jones, a Copy of which you have inclosed. I set off 
directly to Newport, and found the Hamden so much damaged, that 
she must be hove out. I put Captn. Hacker with all his Hands 
onboard the Sloop Pro\idence, and they both Sail'd yesterday with 
their former Orders. I went from there to Ej.ngs County to the 
General Assembly, and applied for an Embargo untill the Continental 
Fleet was mann'd; but fail'd in getting it by two Votes, owing to a 
Number of the Members being deeply Concerned in Privateering. 
I am at a Loss how we shall get the Ships mann'd, as I think near 
one third of the Men which have been Shipp'd and receiv'd their 
months pay, have been one way or another carried away in the 
Privateers. I T\dsh I had your Orders giving me leave, whenever I 
found any man onboard the Privateers, not only to take him out, 
but all the rest of the Men. That might make them more Cautious 
of taking the Men out of the Service of the States. 

I thought I had some Influence in the State I have lived so Long in, 
but find now that Private Interest bears more Sway than I wish it did. 
Shall go down to Newport in a day or two and do all in my power to 
get the New Ships, the Columbus and Hamden every way Ready 
for the Sea — though I think it may not be best to let any single one 
go for fear you might have some particular Ser\dce for a Number 
together. 



'^The first draft of this letter is in the Hopkins Papers, v. 2, 47. 



A three deck Ship Prize of the Cabots arrived yesterday in the River. 

I could wish your Commissions would come for the Ofi&cers of the 
New Ships, or that you would give me Orders to Commission them, 
as they seem to be uneasy at not having them. 

I am with great Respect 
Gentlemen 
Your most Obedt. humble Servt. 

E. H. 

To the hon. John Hancock Esqr. 
President of the hon. Marine Committee 
at Philadelphia 

Providence November 3rd 1776. 
Gentlemen 

I receiv'd yours of the loth October ^s this day; and am extremely 
unhappy in not receiving it in tim.e, as Captn. Jones in the Alfred, 
and Hacker in the Providence Sail'd two days ago well mann'd — 
and the Ships now here are the two New Ships, the Columbus, and 
Hamden. The Hamden must be Repaired before She can Sail, and 
the Ships are not more than half mann'd — however I am glad to 
receive your Orders for an Expedition to the Southward that I may 
have it in my power to Convince the Gentlemen in every State that 
I have nothing at heart but the Common Cause — without any 
partiallity to any particular State. This you may rely on that I 
will attempt to put your Orders in Execution if I am obHged to do it 
with a Single Ship, although Shall do all in my Power to get all the 
Force here with me that possibly can be Mann'd. If I can't get the 
whole mann'd next week. Shall take the Men out of some to Mann 
the others & Leave them with a few Officers to take Care of them 
untill they receive your further Orders. I am with great Respect 

Gent. 
Your most Obedt. Humb Servt. 

E. H. 
To the hon. John Hancock Esqr. 
President of the hon. Marine Committee 
at Philadelphia. 

esPart II, 52. 

{92) 



Providence November 6th. 1776. 
Sir 

I receiv'd yours, and have enquired, and find that there is no light 
Duck onboard the Ship Captn. Manly told you of — but there is a 
fourteen Inch Cable of about One hundred & twenty or thirty fathom 
which has never been used though it has been onboard a Year — the 
Captn. of the Ship tells me it was made in London and he thinks it a 
very good one. I spoke to Mr. Tillinghast the Agent here and he 
says if it Suits you. You may have the Cable for the same Weight in 
other Rigging, or for what he gives for Rigging here, which is the 
extravagant Price of twenty dollars pr hundd. — but as the greatest 
part of it belongs to the Continent it is no great matter as to the 
price. If the Cable should Suit you please to write to Mr. Daniel 
Tillinghast, as I shall go to Newport to morrow and perhaps to Sea 
before I return. I am with great Respect. 

Sir 

To Thomas Cushing Esqr. Your humble Servant 

at Boston E. H. 



Providence November 8th 1776. 
Gentlemen 

Mr. Earle the Master of the Alfred has appUed for leave to come to 
Philadelphia to see his Family, and as he has done his Duty since in 
the Service as a good Officer have given him leave to come to 
you, and take your further directions. Captn. Field in the Eagle 
has made a Complaint to me against Captn. Jones for taking out 
some of his Hands. I have enquired so far as to find that Captn. 
Jones met the Privateer a coming in from a Cruise — and on sending 
onboard found two Men belonging to the Fleet, and two more belong- 
ing to the Rhode Island Brigade, all four of whom he took out, and I 
believe some more — which can't be well accounted for any otherway 
than Captn. Jones knew that the Privateers made a constant practice 
of carrying away the Men belonging to the Fleet, thought it would 
put some Stop to that practice, and not be any damage to the Owners 
as she was coming in from a Cruise. I can't but believe that Captn. 
Jones did as he thought best for the good of the PubHck — and I must 
Confess I shall be glad if it meets your approbation. 



1 93) 



I hear that the Cabot has been in at Cape Ann, and expect her in 
to New Londbb in a few days — if so Shall try to get her fit to join 
in the Expedition. 

I am Gentlemen with great Respect 

Your most Obedt. humble Servt. 

E. H. 
To the hon. John Hancock Esqr. 
President of the hon. Marine Committee 
at Philadelphia. 

Providence November 8th. 1776. 
Sir 

I receiv'd yours of the 2nd Instt. and Congratulate you on your 
Success — am now to let you know that I have receiv'd Orders from 
the Marine Committee to proceed on an Expedition in which the 
Cabot is to be Employ'd — Should you be arrived at New London I 
desire you will get the Cabot grav'd and fitted for Sea as soon as 
possible, with four Months Provisions onboard. I have a Captains 
Commission from the Marine Committee appointing you Captain of 
the Alfred, but as she is out at present shall continue you onboard 
the Cabot, or onboard the Columbus. 

Should be glad to see or hear from you as soon as possible. 

I desire you will on your arrival let my negroe Man Loushir come 
home, and send Surriname Wanton with him, as I have bought him 
at Vendue. 69 

To Ehsha Hinman Esqr. I am, Sir 

Commander of the Brigantine Cabot Your humble Servt. 

at New London. £ jj 



Providence November 8th. 1776. 
Sir 

There was a Negroe Man onboard the Andrew Doria named 
Dragoon Wanton which I have purchas'd. Should be extremely glad 



^^This and the following letter seem to be good evidence that Esek Hopkins 
possessed slaves. This letter must have escaped Edward Field's notice. See 
Field, Esek Hopkins, 13. 

{ 94 1 



if you will take the trouble to take some Charge of him, and either 
send him to me, or see that he is employ'd in the Service with Captn. 
Biddle, or any other way, as you may think fit. 

My brother Shew'd me a Letter of yours, in which it seems I 
was roughly handled in Congress — it is true that I applied to 
the Committee for Blankets for Slops in the Ships, but how they 
came by them I am altogether Ignorant, however I am extremely 
obliged to you for Supporting me. 

We have no News here, nor nothing Extraordinary except that the 
Privateers have great Luck, and getting Money fast. I wish they 
may not carry it so far as to be any ways detrimental. I am with 
great Respect 

Sir 
Your Friend & humble Sert. 

F FT 

To the honble William EUery Esqr. 

one of the Members of the hon. Contl. Congress 
at Philadelphia 

(^. Newport November 12th. 1776. ^^ 

Captn. John Plants who was a Passenger in the Royal Exchange 
has two hogsheads of Rum onboard the Brig Lord Sifford under your 
Care — and as he will want a Sufficiency to bear his Charges while 
here Should be glad you will deliver him the two Hhds of Rum, and 
it will be agreeable to the Officers and Men belonging to the Fleet 
and I make no doubt but it will be agreeable to the Congress. 

To John Bradford Esqr. I am. Sir 

Agent for the Contl. Fleet in the Your humble Servt. 

State of Massachusetts Bay EH 



^. Newport November 12th. 1776." 

Captn. Bowden has waited on me here, and says that he is innocent 
of Seducing the People to Retake the Ship,62 and I think it would be 

^The first draft of this letter is in the Hopkins Papers^ v. 2, 47. 
"The first draft of this letter is in the Hopkins Papers, v. 2, 47. 
^2 Apparently the case referred to in a letter from Hopkins to John Langdon, 
Oct. 24, 1776, in Part I. 



95) 



hard to Censure a Man for a few dirty fellows that we know to be 
Villains. You therefore have my Consent that you give him an Order 
on O. W. Langdon for so much of his Adventure as you think proper 
and I will Ratifie the same as though I had done it myself. 

I am, Sir 
To Abraham Whipple Esqr. Your humble Servant 

Commander of the Ship Providence E. H. 



Newport November 13. 1776.63 
Sir 

I am directed by the Marine Committee to prosecute an Expedi- 
tion in which the Cabot is to be joined — these are therefore to desire 
you to assist Captn. Hinman with a Sufficient Quantity of Provisions, 
and Money Sufficient to enable him to get his Vessel fit to come 
round here with all the Expedition possible as the Season requires 
dispatch. I am with great Esteem 

To John Bradford Esqr. Sir, 

Agent for the Contl. Fleet Your humble Servt. 

in the State of Massachusetts, £ jj 

at Boston 



Newport November 13th. 1776.6^ 
Sir 

You are to make all the dispatch you can to Boston, and get the 
Cabot fitted for Sailing as soon as possible, and get such Provisions 
onboard as will Last three or four Months if to be had, and join me 
here as soon as possible. 

If I should be Saild before you get here Shall leave directions here 
for you to follow, and where to join the Fleet. I am. 

To EHsha Hinman Esqr. Your Friend & humble Servt. 

Commr. of the Cabot E. H. Cr. in Chief. 



63The first draft of this letter is in the Hopkins Papers, v. 2, 48. 
"The first draft of this letter is in the Hopkins Papers, v. 2, 48. 



96 1 



Newport November 21st. 1776. 
Sir 

I wrote you a Letter Some time ago^^ acquainting you that it 
appeared to a Court martial that Captn. Bowden of the Royal Ex- 
change had some hand in forwarding a Mutiny onboard, and for you 
to Stop his Adventure untill that matter was Clear'd up. Since which 
the Captain has been here, and declares his Innocence, and I wrote 
by him to Captain Whipple that whatever he gave him an Order to 
Receive Should be Satisfactory to me — ^but on Seeing Captn. Whipple, 
and the Officers belonging to the Fleet they do not seem Satisfied 
with giving him money — ^however Should think it but humanity for 
you to Supply him with three or four hundred Dollars to enable him 
to Subsist while here, and it will be agreeable to me, and I do not 
think Congress or the People of the Navy will take it amiss. 

I am now almost Ready, and expect to Sail in a few days — in the 
mean time I am with great Respect. Sir 

Your humble Servant 
E. H. 

P. S. Captn. Whipple, his Officers and Men are going out directly, 
but I suppose they will leave some Power for their Prize Money with 
some person here, that will advance them some part of it. 

To John Langdon Esqr. 
Agent for the Continental Fleet, in the State 
of New Hampshire. 

Newport November 25th 1776. 
Gentlemen 

I receivd yours of October 23rd. ^^ and have Order'd the Cabot 
round from Boston — the Hamden is nearly fitted — the new Ships and 
the Columbus are ready but not yet fully mann'd — if they are not 
mann'd when the Cabot arrives I believe I shall take the Officers and 
Men out of the Columbus, and attempt to put your Orders in Execu- 
tion with all the dispatch in my power. Captn. Falconer by whom 
this comes will be able to inform you more fully in respect to our 
Circumstances. Inclosed you have a Copy of Captn. Jones's Letter 
which I receiv'd last Evening by Mr. Walter Spooner the Master of 

650ct. 24, 1776. In Part I. 
eePart II, 58. 

{97} 



the Alfred who arrived yesterday at Bedford in the Active Prize, I 
hope the Ship with Cloathing may arrive Safe as that will be of great 
advantage to the States by Supplying the Army. Mr. Spooner 
informs that the Ship had some Quantity of Arms, and says he heard 
the Captain Say her Cargo was worth £60,000 Sterling. 

I think it will be necessary for you to Send Orders for the Alfred, 
Providence, and Columbus if She should be left behind directing 
them how to be Employ'd — it may be best to direct them to the Care 
of my brother to forward them to whatever Port they may come 
intoo. I hope you will give some Directions in Respect to Supplying 
the Sailors out of the Prize Goods as they will not be able to do 
Duty well in the Winter without and it is with difficulty we are able 
to Supply them with any. 

I have not been able to find a Small Vessel fit for a Tender and 
think of making use of the Hamden for that purpose. 

To the hon. John Hancock Esqr. I am with great Regard 

President of the Marine Committee Gentlemen 

at Philadelphia Your most hble Servt. 

pr Capt Falconer. E. H. 

Newport November 25th. 1776." 

I receiv'd yours by Mr. Spooner, and am to inform you that it will 
be for the Publick Good and agreeable to the Orders of the Marine 
Committee, that you keep all the Cloathing, and other Things that 
are fit for the use of the Army or Navy untill you Receive further 
Orders. The Anchors, Coal and indeed every thing that will be 
wanted by the PubHck Should not be Sold. 

You will please to Send me as soon as possible a Copy of the 

Invoice of the Brigantine Actives Cargo as there may be Some things 

that are very much wanted by the Fleet now near ready to Sail. In 

behalf of the Officers and People of the Navy I now desire you to take 

Care of their part of the several Prizes under your Care untill we 

Send for the Same. ^ -^i t- ^ 

I am with Esteem 

To Mr. Leonard Jarvis Sir 

Depy. Agent for the Contl. Fleet at Your humble Servt. 

Dartmouth E. H. Cr. in Chief. 

"The first draft of this letter is in the Hopkins Papers, v. 2, 48. 

I98I 



Newport November 27th. 1776.^5 
Sir 

I sent an Officer \\ith my Orders to take up, and bring onboard the 
Fleet some deserters who Enlisted out of the Army, and receiv'd 
their Months pay — and he took up Seven at Warwick, and brought 
as far as the Fulling mill — ^where a number of the Inhabitants got 
together, and took the Men away from him. The Names of the 
Men taken away are as follows — 

John Joyce, John Allen, Benjamin Howard, Abel 
Bennet, George Burgess, \Vm. Japes, & Job Bridge — 
and the follo'^'ing Men have Likewise desert — Benj. 
Weldale, Joseph Bra}'mour, .Arthur King, Durfy 
Springer, Daniel Fones, Willm. Chadsey, David Ralph, 
and Wniiam Jacklyn. 

I make no doubt but your honour will give the Necessary Orders 
to have them taken up, and Sent onboard the Ships — if you will 
please to let me know whether you'll give Orders for the above 
purpose, you will obKge Sir — Your humble Servant. 

I send you by Creetman two Officers in the Ser\-ice of George the 
third which you will order taken Care of as you think fit. I am Sir 

To the hon. Nicholas Cook Esqr. Your most humb Ser\-t. 

Governor of the State of Rhode Island E. H. 

at Pro\*idence 



^ ^ , Pro\-idence December sth. 1776." 

Governor Cook j 1 1 

Sir 

Yours of yesterday "0 I have just receiv'd, and I shall take it, for 

granted that you will take even,- legal Method to for^-ard the Manning 

the Ships — and as to what you Refer to with Respect to the wages 

and Prize Money, I now let you know that I am not Agent, nor Pay 

Master, and that I have nothing to do in that matter, further than 

to use my Influence that right be done to ever^^ man in the Na\y. 



^The first draft of this letter is in the Hopkins Papers, v. 2, 48. Gov. Cooke's 
reply is in Part II, 61. 

^*The first draft of this letter is in the Hopkins Papers, v. 2, 49. 
^"Printed in Rhode Island Colonial Records, VLII, 69. 

{99I 



I have no knowledge of any Fraud in any Officer under my command, 
and I believe there is not. Shall Caution the Officers to take Care to 
keep the Men onboard, although I believe the greatest part of the 
desertion was before they ever came onboard — and as to what you 
seem to desire the Ships should go round to Boston, my Orders will 
not admit such a Step — and if they would I can see little prospect of 
getting men there, as I am well assured that if one of the Ships there 
had been mann'd She would have Sail'd before now. 
I am Sir Yours and the Members of Assemblys 

To the honble. Nicholas Cook Esqr. Humble Servt. 

to be Laid before such Members of Assembly E. H. 

as he may think fit. 

Providence December 4th. 1776. 
Gentlemen. 

I receiv'd your Resolve of this day,^! and note the Contents of it. 
I now let you know, that I have Long had Orders from the honbl. 
Marine Committee to get all the Vessels out as soon as I could Mann 
them. I should be glad that your honorable Board would devise 
some way to complete their Men, and likewise some way that the 
great Number of Deserters may be sent onboard — a considerable 
Number of whom are now in this State. 

I am Gentlemen 

Your most Obedt. Humble Servant 

E. H. 
To the Honble. Nicholas Cook Esqr. Governor of the 
State of Rhode Island — to be laid before the 
Committee of said State. 

Onboard the Warren ofif Patuxet Decembr. 8th. 
1776— at SOClock A. M. 
Sir 

I receiv'd yours this Morning dated Novemr. 7th^2 — and think we 
can Secure what Prisoners you may please to Send provided they are 
Sailors, or to be treated as such. That or any other Service which 



■'mid. 

72Part II, 62. 

{ 100 1 



the State requires, that is in my power Shall be done with pleasure. 
I have nothing new since my Last. Have not heard any disturbance 
Last Night, nor Guns. You mention a hand Bill inclosed but there 
was none in your Letter. If there should be any Sailors that are 
Idle think I could Employ them to Advantage. I have Sent a Boat 
to Newport for Intelligence, but She is not yet Return'd. I am Sir 

To the honble Nicholas Cooke Esqr. Your humble Servt. 

Governor of the State of Rhode Island. E. H. 

Onboard the Warren off Patuxet 

December 8th 1776— at 5 OClock P M. 
Sir 

About 12 OClock this day the English Fleet came in to the West 
ward of James Town, all but three who Stood to the Eastward for 
Secunnet Point — there is in the whole upwards of One hundred Sail. 
Some of them Anchored at the north end of Connanicut, and the 
rest were under Sail at 4 OClock. 

To the hon. Nicholas Cooke Esqr. I am. Sir 

Governor of the State of R. Island Your humbl. Servt. 

E. H. 

Onboard the Warren— Patuxet Deer. 8th. 6 OClock P M 
Sir 

Captn. Hacker in the Sloop Providence went down this afternoon 
below Prudence, and a Ship gave him Chace, but She run ashore. 
He saw one Ship down by Dutch Island, and one off Hog Island — 
and Mr. Barron has return'd from Rhode Island, and Says the Enemy 
Landed at 8 OClock this morning 8000 Men and took Possession of 
the whole Island without Opposition, and he thinks have got most 
of the Stock. How many of our Men are got off he can't tell. 

I think if the Galleys are mann'd they would be of Service down 
here. Capt. Chace is up Tanton River. If the Men could be 
prevail'd upon to come here they would be of Service, as it is not 
Ukely they will go far out of Protection of the Ships. 

To the Hon. Nicholas Cooke Esqr. I am Sir, 
Governor of the State of Rhode Island. Your humble Servt. 

E. H. 
I loi 1 



Onboard the Warren 5 miles below Providence 

December loth. 1776. 
Gentlemen 

Three days ago the English Fleet of about 54 Sail of Transports 
and 16 Sail Men of War arrived in this Bay, and two days ago they 
Landed I believe about four thousand Troops, and took Possession 
of the Island of Rhode Island without Opposition. The Inhabitants 
of the Town of Newport favour'd their Operation I believe too much. 
The Militia are come in, in Order to prevent their further Operations. 
I thought it best to come up the River after the Fleet was within 
about two Leagues of us with the Warren, Providence, Colimibus, 
Brigantine Hampden, and Sloop Providence. The Inhabitants are 
in daily expectation of an attack on the Town of Providence. I 
have got the Ships in the best posture of defence we can make them 
without they were full Mann'd which they are not more than half. 
We lay where the Ships can't come up that draw much more Water 
than we do. If we get the Ships mann'd Shall take some favourable 
Opportunity and attempt getting to Sea with some of the Ships — 
but at present think we are of more Service here than at Sea without 
we were mann'd. 

To the Hon. John Hancock Esqr. I am Gentlemen 
Presidt. of the Marine Committee Your most humb Servt. 

at Philada. £ jj 



Onboard the Warren off Patuxet 

December loth. 1776. 
Sir 
There is now at Providence of our Men belonging to the Fleet 

Robert Relf 
William Lenn 
Philip Gordin 
WiUiam Sceaner 
Peter Cane 
Pierce 



J. Lambert 

I 102 ) 



Jos. Merre — and five of the Cabots People — with a number of 
others, which should be glad you will send with my Officer, the Sheriff 
or his Deputy, in order that they may be brought onboard where 
they will be of Service. 
Nothing new transpires this day. I am Your Honors 

Humble Servt. 
E. H. 
To the Hon. Nicholas Cooke Esqr. Governor of the 
State of Rhode Island 

at Providence 



Providence .December i8th. 1776. 
Sir 

I received yours of the 15th instant, and am very glad to hear you 
are Safe arrived, as it would have been Impossible for you to have 
got in here. I wish your Prizes may get Safe in. If you can you 
may hire a Pilot to go in some small Vessel off or about Nantucket to 
give the Prize Masters an account of our Situation here, and Order 
the Prizes to Boston. 

As to any alteration of the Alfred I have receiv'd no Orders from 
the Marine Committee about that matter, owing I suppose to the 
difficulty of the times — and as Captn. Hinman has a Commission for 
the Alfred do not know at present but it may be best for him to take 
her, and for you to go onboard the Columbus — however Shall write 
or come down to Boston soon. In the mean time you will get the 
Ship alongside the Wharf, and her Stores Secured — and as some of 
the Mens times are out that they Enhsted for, you may get their 
Accounts Settled, and give them an order for the ballance, taking 
Care to Charge what was Advanc'd them in Philada — those who 
belong to Philadelphia or have Wives there you will give them an 
Order on Mr. James Read for one half — and pay the Rest — And call 
on Mr. John Bradford for Money to enable you so to do, who I have 
wrote to Supply you. 

If my son Esek want to come home to see his Friends you will be 
good enough to give him leave. 

The Owners of the Privateer made a great Noise about your taking 
the Men out of her, and have brought an Action, but I think they 



{103) 



will make nothing of it. We have Hkewise brought an Action against 
Captn. Field for taking our MenJ^ 

I am Sir 

Your Friend & humbl Servt. 
E. H. 

P. S. You will deliver the Prisoners you have onboard the Alfred 
to the Officers of the State you are in. 

To John P. Jones Esqr. 
Commander of the Alfred 
at Boston. 

Onboard the Warren near Providence 
December i8th 1776. 
Sir 

I receiv'd a Letter from Captn. Jones of the Alfred — if he should 
want any SuppUes you will Supply him, and Charge the same to the 
Continent. 

I have wrote my Son who is onboard the Alfred to call on you for 
what he wants and if he is coming home you may pay him as much 
as my Share of what Prize Money you have in your Hands, and his 
Receipt Shall be your discharge. 

I hope Captn. Jones's Prizes may get Safe in to your State, not so 
much on Account of their Value, as the want the Country is in for 
the Cargoes of some of them. 

To John Bradford Esqr. I am Sir 

Agent for the Contl. Fleet Your Frd & humb Servt. 



at Boston. 



E. H. 



Providence December i8th 1776. 
Dear Son 

I receiv'd yours, and have wrote to Mr. John Bradford Agent to 
pay you all my Share of Prize Money in his hands which you may 
Receive and make use of as much as is Necessary, and bring the Rest 



^3See letter from Hopkins to Hancock, Nov. 8, 1776. 

{104I 



home to me. I have wrote to Captn. Jones to let you come home — 
but would have you get your Account from the Clerk Stated, and 
get Captn. Jones to Sign it. 
Your Mother Brothers & Sisters are well. I am 

To Mr. Esek Hopkins junr. Your Affectiont. Father 

onboard the Alfred E. H. 

at Boston. 

Onboard the Warren between Providence & Newport 

December 28, 1776. 
Sir 

Captn. Whipple Late of the Columbus, his Officers and Men under- 
stand you have Sold and Collected the Money for the Prize Ship 
Royal Exchange — and as the Service of the States will not permit the 
Officers and People to go to the different States to collect their Prize 
Money they have Sent Mr. Joseph Hardy Clerk of the Columbus to 
bring it onboard to be distributed. I think it will be for the General 
Good that you pay him the Captors part, first deducting your Com- 
missions and his Receipt will be your discharge for said part. 

To John Langdon Esqr. I am with great Regard 

Continental agent for the State sir Your most hble Servt. 

of New Hampshire. ^ tt 

Onboard the Warren between Providence 

and Newport Decemb. 28th. 1776. 
To John Bradford Esqr. 

Continental Agent 

at Boston 

Sir 

I received your favour of the 24th instt. — and glad that Care is 

taken to unload the MeUish, which by a Letter rece'd from Mr. 

Jarvis I beheve is done. I am extremely oblig'd to you for the favour 

done me by Supplying my Son with £30 — which was Sufficient for 

him — but am at a loss how you should think my Prize Money was 

Connected with the Companys — as the Congress have settled my 

part at one twentieth of the Captors part.^'' 

''Journals of the Continental Congress, Jan. 7, 1776. 



I have applyed to Captn Whipple in Respect to Sending you a 
List of the Men Concern 'd, but as the greatest part of the Officers and 
Men are now on duty onboard the Several Vessels in this Harbour 
the General Interest of the Country will not permit their applying 
in Person to the several Agents for their Money — So that if it can't 
be distributed to them onboard they must go without it — to Remedy 
which Captn. Whipple, his Officers and People have Sent Mr. Hardy 
Clerk of the Columbus to bring the Money onboard which I hope 
will be agreeable — ^You first taking out your Commissions & the 
Money you advanc'd my Son — and Mr. Hardys Receipt will be your 
discharge. Capt. Whipple would not have taken this Step if there 
was any other way to Satisfy his officers and People. 

Shall be greatly Obhged to you if you will take Care of my part of 
the other Prizes within your Jurisdiction untill you Receive my Orders 
to Send it me. 

I am with Esteem 

Sir Your humb. Servt. 
E. H. 
P. S. Inclosed you have a Copy of the ] 

Resolve of Congress in Respect of my r 
Share of Prize Money. J 



Onboard the Warren between Providence & Newport 

December 28th 1776. 

To Mr. Leonard Jarvis \ 

Depy. Agent for the State of Massachusetts / 

Sir 
I received your favour of the 24th instant, and am glad to hear the 
Goods are Secured out of Reach of the Enemy, as they are much 
wanted by our army. I was not knowing to Mr. Russels coming to 
assist you, but beheve it was done by the Governor & Councill with 
the advise of some of the principal Men of your State. I desir'd Mr. 
TiUinghast to Send Mr. Jenckes to assist in procuring Carts which I 
did by the Advice of General Lincoln, and can assure you it was done 
with a View of the General Good, and not with any design of Intruding 
on your department, as I could not tell whether you might arrive at 



{106I 



home Soon enough for that purpose, and on Seeing a Letter from 
you to Mr. TiUinghast was Surprized you should take it amiss. 

I am, Sir 

Your hble Servt. 
E. H. 

Onboard the Warren Jany. 9th. 1777. 
To Sir Peter Parker 

Commr. in Chief of his Brittanick Majestys 
Ships of Warr — at Newport. 

Sir— 

I have a number of Prisoners who are desirous of getting onboard 
his Majestys Fleet. If you think proper to Exchange them for 
American Prisoners, or Ofl&cers belonging to the American States, 
(Officer for Officer & Man for Man) and will please to Signify the Same, 
I will Send them to you as soon as may be in a Flag. 

I am 
Sir 
Your most Obedt. humbl Servt. 

E. H. 



Onboard the Warren Jany. loth. 1777. 

To Edward Southouse Esqr. 
at Boston. 

Sir 

I received yours of the ist instant, and observe the Contents and 
as to Captn. Hacker, or Mr. Brown, if they made you any Promise 
they should in honour Stand to it. I have told the Officers in the 
Fleet that the Kings Officers taken had not so much right to the Goods 
they might have onboard, as Men in the Merchant Service who have 
no hand in the Quarrel — and as to private Property's not being Con- 
fiscated I think you are mistaken for the most of the Ships and 
Cargoes that has been taken and Condemn'd have been altogether 
private Property, although we have generally given the Masters 



{ 107 } 



their private Adventures in Order to Support and carry them home 
in Character — and on the whole I am wilHng that you Should have 
as much of your property as Mr. Bradford the Continental Agent, 
and the Captors will agree to give you. But as I yet do not know 
what property you had onboard & for what I at present can tell, the 
greatest part of the Loading may be your property & in that Case it 
might be too much to give away. 

I am Sir 

Your most humb Servt. 
E. H. 

Onboard the Warren Jany. 13th. 1777.^5 
To John Bradford Esqr. 
Continental agent 
at Boston. 

Sir 

I receiv'd a Letter from a Gentleman taken by the Alfred and 
Providence, and Inclosed you have a Copy of my answer to him, and 
Since I have receiv'd a Second, a Copy of which you have Inclosed. 
I am inform'd by the officers that there was upwards of forty Bales 
& Packages mark'd with his Name, and without I could be inform'd 
of the Contents of them I can be no Judge whether it would be 
prudent to give him all of them or not — as I understand if they are 
given him, it will give some Uneasiness to the Officers Concem'd. 
However you have my Leave as far as I am Concern'd, to do what is 
right in that matter although I know no Order of Congress to excuse 
any Property. 

The bearer Captn. Elisha Hinman has a Commission from Congress 
to Command the Alfred, and now comes to take Charge of her. 
Should he want any assistance doubt not but you will grant him such 
Supplys as will enable him to get her to Sea with dispatch. Captn. 
Olney likewise comes down to take Charge of the Cabot, to which 
Vessel he is appointed by Congress who you will also Supply with 
what is necessary to get to Sea. I should think the former Com- 
manders should take a Receipt of the present Captains, and Lodge 
the Same with you for all the Stores and Provisions which may be 



'^The first draft of this letter is in the Hopkins Papers, v. 2, 49. 

1 108 ) 



Onboard at the time they take them, So that each may be Accountable 
for what is Right. I am with great Esteem 

Sir your humble Servt. 
E. H. 



Onboard the Warren Jany. 14th. 1777. 
To John P. Jones Esqr. 
Commander of the Alfred 
at Boston 

I received yours of the loth & nth instant, and observed the Con- 
tents — by the bearer you will have the foot of every mans Account 
with the Sloop Providence until Captn. Hazard left her — and your 
Accounts Since Mr. Lyon has not posted up as he did not understand 
some part of the rough Memorandums you left with him. As to the 
Columbus's Men you will give them your Accounts against them, 
and the time they Served onboard the Alfred, and send them here to 
Settle the Remainder of their Accounts where the Columbus's 
Articles and Books are. 

You may tell your Prisoner of the Law that I sent forward his first 
Letters and Shall do the same by the last to Lord Piercy the first 
Opportunity. If he or you will give me a List of what he has had 
Return'd of his property, and what more he Claims, if it is not more 
than I think I can answer for, I will give Orders that they may be 
Restored to him, but without such knowledge I can give no Sensible 
determination in the matter. You will pay or give Orders on Mr. 
Bradford for the ballance of the Wages of any Men you may dis- 
charge, and not draw any more Orders on me who have no Money 
of the Continents in my hands — and I expect every Officer will do 
the duty Order'd him by Congress. 

Captn. Jos. Olney comes down to take Charge of the Cabot to 
which Vessel he is appointed — and the bearer Captn. EUsha Hinman 
comes down to take Charge of the Alfred for which he has a Com- 
mission from Congress, and has this day appHed to me for an Order 
to take Command of the Ship he was appointed to, and as I have 
receiv'd no directions from the hon Marine Board to contradict their 
Commission, do not think I have power to displace him. If you chuse 
to return to the Providence which your Commission is for, She is now 

I 109 ) 



in good Order, and you may Return to her as soon as you please, or 
any other Vessel that is in my power to give. 

You will Settle with as many Men whose times are out, as you can; 
and Settle the Remainder of the Sloop Providences Books up while 
you Commanded her, — and the Alfreds from the time Captn. Salton- 
stall left her, the Copy of his books is in your Clerks hands. If their 
Months pays are not Charg'd which they all had in Philadelphia, you 
will take Care to Charge it, and such Men as were Shipp'd in Phila- 
delphia who you think likely to have drawn Wages of Mr. Read, it will 
be best to give Orders on him for their ballances. So that it may be in 
his power to Stop what ever that may be. 

I am Sir your himible Servt. 

E. H. 

P. S. You will take an Inventory of the Stores 
& provisions onboard the Alfred, & Captn. 
Hinman's Receipt for the Same which you 
will Lodge with Mr. Bradford. 



Providence Jany. 15th. 1777 
Captn. Elisha Hinman 

Sir 
You are Immediately to proceed to Boston, and take Charge of 
the Alfred, to which Ship you are appointed by Congress. You will 
give Captn. Jones a Receipt for all the Provision & Stores onboard 
her — and you are to deHver the Cabot to Captn. Jos. Olney who is 
appointed to Command her and take his Receipt for the Provisions 
& Stores onboard her and Lodge the Same with Mr. Bradford the 
Agent. You will get the Alfred fixed in the best manner you can and 
proceed on a Cruise with her as soon as possible if you can mann her, 
and Cruise for Store Ships bound to New York, agreeable to directions 
from the hon. Marine Committee, if you Receive no directions to the 
Contrary. I am Sir 

Your humble Servt. 
- E. H. Cr. in Chief. 



I no) 



Captn. Joseph Olney 
Sir 
You are to go immediately to Boston, and there take Charge of the 
Brigt Cabot, mann her as soon as possible and proceed directly on a 
Cruize against the Enemy s of these States, and Chiefly for Trans- 
ports. When you are near ready to Sail you will let me know, so 
that you may have the Latest Instructions which I have from the 
hon. Marine Board. 

I am Sir 

Your humbl. Servt. 
E. H. Cr in Chief 

_ _ , _, ,. , ^ Providence Tany. 15th 1777. 

To John Bradford Esqr. '' ^ ^ '" 

Continental agent 

in Boston 

Sir 
Captn. Hinman and Mr. Thomas Mumford have applied to me 
with a Power from the Officers and People belonging to the Cabot for 
their Prize Money. If the Ship taken by her and sent into your State 
by Capt Hinman is Sold, I believe it will be best to pay him the 
Captors part, so that the Men may be Satisfied, or it will be difficult 
to keep Men in the Service. 

I am Sir Your humble Servant. 
E. H. 

Warren — Providence River 

January i8th 1777.^5 
To Sir Peter Parker 

Commander in Chief of his Britannick majestys — 
Ships, at Newport. 

Sir 
I receiv'd your Letter by Captn. Ayres, together with a number of 
Prisoners — ^who brings the number he was in arrear, and a number 
more, which you will Return an equallity for. There is a number 

76The first draft of this letter is in the Hopkins Papers, v. 2, 49. 

{ml 



more in the Country which were taken by the Vessels under my 
Command who I have Sent for, and Shall Send you as soon as they 
arrive in Providence. Shall Send an ofl&cer in Room of Mr. Cranston 
though I do not look upon him as a Commission officer he being only 
a nominal Lieutenant without any Commission. I must request the 
favour of you to Send me Mr. Michl. Knies a Midshipman belonging 
to the Alfred, and Prize Master of a Ship called the Surprize, Retaken 
by the Greyhound Frigate, and now Onboard the Prison Ship at 
New York, and Ukewise his Crew, or your Interposition, to get them 
put on shore there. 

I am Sir Your most Obedt. humbl. Servt. 

E. H. 



rr. X 1 -r» li- it- Providcnce Tany. 23rd 1777. 

To John Bradford Esqr. •' ^ ^ '" 

Continental Agent 

in Boston. 

Sir 

Inclosed you have a Copy of a paper Sign'd by Some of the Officers 
of the Alfred and Providence — and Mr. Southouse has waited upon 
me to have his property Return'd — all I can Say in that matter is 
that I am willing every prisoner taken by the Continental Vessels 
Should be treated well, and have as much of their property Restor'd 
as will Support them in the Character they Sustain'd — ^but in this 
Case there has as you will See an Uneasiness arose — and as I have 
not had any account of what he has had Return'd, nor what more he 
Claims — I can't be any judge in the matter at present. Should 
advise you to Use the most prudent method to Settle the Matter, 
So that the officers and people may have no great Right to Complain, 
nor the Gentleman treated Worse than other men that have had the 
ill luck to fall into our hands. 

I shall be extremely obHg'd to you to forward Captn. Jones in 
discharging and paying off the People, as Well them that has EnUsted 
into the Land Service as the others. 

I am with Esteem 
Sir 

Your humble Servt. 
E. H. 
I 112 ) 



rr, -r 1 T^ X T- Providciice Tany. 28th 1777. 

To John P. Jones Esqr. •' -^ '" 

in Boston. 
Sir 

I receiv'd yours of the 20th inst. and obseve the Contents — and 
this you may depend upon, that I shall do whatever is in my power to 
excuse you in that matter. I did at first when the Owners wrote a 
Complaint to Congress, write in your behalf to the Marine Com- 
mittee"^^ — and have brought an Action against the Captain for taking 
the Men belonging to the Fleet, and I am no ways apprehensive but 
Shall be able to make one answer the other as to the Owners — and 
as to the men I expect you will allow them Wages and Shares, and 
when that is paid them you will take their discharges (in full of all 
demands whatever) or else I am apprehensive there is more danger 
from them than their Owners. 

There Seems to be an Uneasiness arose from Orders you have given 
some of the Men who you have discharged on Mr. Sproat at Phila- 
delphia — and the Ofl&cers and Some of the Men have desir'd that I 
would give Orders, that Mr. Bradford Should pay out the Prize 
Money — and I have accordingly done it. 

I am Sir Your humble Servt. 
E. H. 



To John Bradford Esqr. Providence Jany. 27th 1777^ 

Continental agent 
in Boston. 

Sir 
The Officers and People have seen Som Certificates from Captn. 
Jones to Some of his Men by which they are apprehensive that the 
Prize Money is to be Sent to Philada. to Mr. David Sproat, which 
gives them great Uneasiness — and they have appUed to me to use 
my Influence that the Money may be Stopp'd. I therefore desire 
you to keep the Prize Money for the Alfred & Providence in your 
hands untill the Returns of their Crews are made to you So that the 
officers & people may Severally Receive it of you. I am in behalf 

of the Officers & people c- i, ui c 

^ ^ Sir your humbl. Servt. 

E. H. 

^^Nov. 8, 1776, in Part I. 

{ 113 1 



Providence Jany. 28th 1777. 
To Captn. John P. Jones & 
Captn. Elisha Hinman 
at Boston 

Gentlemen 
There is a great difficulty arose, whether the Agreement Enter'd 
into at Reedy Island, Shall be kept to in the division of the Prizes — 
it has been proposed by Captn. Whipple and Mr. Mumford, in order 
to put an end to the dispute, that each Captain Should chuse a man 
of known Character, Which Should determine all disputes of that 
matter; and the Several Crews Share agreeable to their determina- 
tion — and upon the whole, I think to prevent Law Suits, it may be 
better determined that Way than by Jurys; and Sooner. If you 
Gentlemen are of that mind, you will Sign the Arbitration Bond, 
appoint your men, and get the Thing as soon as possible — and you 
have my leave to attend the Settleing the Same. If not Should be 
glad you will Signify the Same, So that Some other method may be 
hit upon. 

I am Gentlemen Your humble Servt. 

E. H. 



Onboard the Warren near Providence 

To Feby. 3rd. 1777. 

Sir Peter Parker 
Commander in Chief of his 
Britannick Majestys Ships 
at Newport 

Sir 
I take the Opportunity by a Cartell from the Governor & Councill 
to send you Mr. Charles Cranston Acting Lieutt. onboard the Actron, 
in Room of Mr. Cranston brought by Captn. Ayres, William Nash, 
Midshipman onboard the Tamor, Richard Regett Midshipman 
onboard the Orpheus, and Six Seamen; for whom I must desire you 
to Send, or give Orders to Release, Mr. Michael Knies, and So many 
of his Crew, now onboard the Prison Ship at New York. 

I am Sir Your humble Servt. 
E. H. 

I 114} 



Providence Feby. 4th 1777. 
To David Phipps Esqr. 
Lieutt. of the Trumbull Frigate — 
at New Haven 

Sir 
I receiv'd yours of the 27th Jany. and observe the Contents and 
as to the Wages of the Officers and People that were turn'd over from 
One Vessel to another, the Last Commander has paid them off, 
(first having an Account of what Slops or Money they had out of the 
Vessel or Vessels they came from). I have Examin'd Captn. Hazards 
Books, and find no Account against you. If you cannot get it Settled 
any other Way, if you'll get a Certificate from Captn. Saltonstall 
when you was Enter'd into the Service, and another from Captn. 
Hinman when you came onboard the Cabot, I will give an order on 
Mr. Shaw for your wages due. 

I am Sir Your humble Servt. 
E. H. 



Providence Febry. 4th. 1777. 
Nathl Shaw, Junr. Esqr. 
Continentl. Agent 

at New London 

Sir 
Captn. Whipple Late of the Columbus Sent for his Money from 
New Hampshire and Boston, and has divided it out to his People — 
and as Mr. Thomas Mumford has a Power from Capt Hinman his 
Officers and People I think it will be best for the Service that you pay 
him the Captors part of what Capt Hinman's Last Prize came to 
(all except my part which is one twentieth) — and his Receipt will be 
your discharge for the Same. I am 

Sir Your humble Servt. 
E. H. 



{115I 



rr. ^*- rr., ^r r 1 Providciice Febv. 4th I???. 

To Mr. Thomas Mumford ^ ^ '" 

Mercht. 

at New London. 

Sir 

Inclosed you have an Order on Mr. Shaw for the Prize Money, for 
the Last Ship Captn Hinman Sent into New London, which I hope 
you may Receive, and in Some part Satisfy the Ofl&cers and People. 

I have not heard from Captn Hinman Since, but have Seen Captn. 

Jones who will not Sign the Agreement as it was drawn, but talk'd 

of making a new one. I am Sir ^r i i i n ^ 

Your humble bervt. 

E. H. 

To John P. Jones Esqr. Providence Feb>. 6th 1777. 

Boston. 
Sir 

I receiv'd by Captn Smith a number of Accounts — but as you 
wrote the Receipts in your own name Mr. Tillinghast did not care to 
pay them, as he would have no Vouchers for the money, you will 
please to Sign the Certificates on the back of their Accounts, and 
write to Mr. TilHnghast to pay them or give an Order on him, and 
mention the Order in their Receipts as pr the Inclosed — and Mr. 
Tillinghast would be glad if you can get the Money of Mr. Bradford 
you will Send enough to Enable him to pay your Orders. 

You will please to finish the Accounts and Send them here as soon 
as possible as many of the Men are waiting for their Money. I am Sir 

Your humbl. Servt. 
E. H. 

Providence Feby. 8th 1777.^* 
To John Bradford Esqr. 

Continental Agent 

at Boston 

Sir 
I have had a Complaint from Some Officers, and a number of the 
Alfreds People who Captn. Jones has discharged that he would not 

■^^The first draft of this letter is in the Hopkins Papers, v. 2, 52. 

1 116 ) 



give them their Wages without their first Signing a power to him to be 
their Agent. If that is true it is a practice not to be Justified, and 
I desire you ^^ill take no notice of any power Extorted in that manner, 
as Such practices wiW greatly discourage people from Entering into 
the Service — and I believe some of them Since has given the Agent 
here a power — and he advanc'd them Some Money to encourage them 
to go into the Service again. 

I am Sir Your humble Servant 
E. H. 



Providence Feby. 9th 1777. 
To Ezekiel Burroughs Esqr. 
Commander of the Brigt. Hamden. 

Sir. 

You are hereby directed to go onboard the Hamden and take 
Charge of her as Captain; and proceed on a Cruize as soon as you 
can get your men onboard, and Cruize for Store Ships bound to the 
Army of his Britannick Majesty. If you take any Prizes which you 
may not think worth while to send into port, you are to first take the 
Men out and then destroy such prizes and what Prizes you may 
take which you think worth Sending to port, I advise you to Send to 
Virginia or the Carolinas, directed to the Continental Agents and 
when you have Weaken' d your Brig So as not to be able to Cruize, 
you may put in to one of the ports where you Send your prizes — and 
get your men and Such Stores as you may Want, and then Cruize as 
before directed, as long as you can keep your Vessel in Order fitt for 
the Service. 

You are to follow such Orders as you may Receive from the 
Honble. Marine Board, or from me or any other of your Commanding 
Officers. 

You are to acquaint me, and the Honbl. Marine Board of your 
Circimistances by all Opportunitys, and apply to the Continental 
Agent for what Money or Stores you may Want for the Ser\dce. 

I am your humble Servt. 
E. H. Commr. in Chief. 



I117I 



Providence Feby. 9th 1777. 
To Joseph Olney Esqr. 
Commander of the Brigt. Cabot 

Sir 

You are hereby directed to go on a Cruize with the Cabot, which 
Vessel you have the Command off — and when out endeavour to 
Cruize for Store Ships bound to the Army of the Enemy. If you 
should take any Empty Vessels that you think are not worth Sending 
into port, you will take out the Men, and destroy them. The 
Carolinas or Virginia I advise as the Safest Ports to Send Prizes into 
while the Winter lasts. You will give your Prize Masters Orders to 
keep the Men they may have with them, and when your Vessel is 
weaken'd for want of Men You may put into Such port as you Send 
the Chiefest of your Prizes to, and take your men onboard, and 
Cruize as before, applying to the Continental Agent to take Care of 
your Prizes, and Hkewise for Money or Stores to enable you to keep 
on your Cruize. 

You will give the Honble. Marine Board, or me Information of 
your Circumstances by all Opportunitys. 

I am Your humble Servt. 
E. H. Cr. in Chief. 



Providence Feby. 9th 1777. 
To EHsha Hinman Esqr. 
Commander of the Alfred 
at Boston. 

Sir 

I receiv'd yours, and have Inclosed you Mr. Richards Commission 
and Mr. Edward Revelys Warrant for Master of Alfred — the Lieut- 
enant of Marines Commission I have not Sent as I don't know at 
present know where Lieutt Hamilton is placed. 

Should be glad you will use all your Skill and Industry to get the 
Alfred fit to proceed on a Cruize as soon as possible. 

I am Sir Your humble Servt. 
E. H. 



I118I 



Providence Feby. loth 1777. 
To General Spencer. 

Sir 
I receiv'd yours of this day. I had previous to Receiving it given 
Orders for the Warren and Hamden to go down below Patuxet as 
Soon as possible, and will direct them to prevent any more Flags from 
coming above them agreeable to your desire. 

I am Sir, 

Your humble Servt. 
E. H. 

Providence Feby. nth 1777 
To John P. Jones Esqr. 
at Boston 

Sir 

I receiv'd yours of the 7th instant together with a List of the 
Mens names who came out of the Eagle^^ and also the Accounts, but 
as they were not Sign'd by you nor your Clerk Mr. Tillinghast has 
paid but one Mr. Tucker whose Account happen'd to be Sign'd. 
Should advise you to make New Accounts & Receipts for all of them 
as pr the Inclosed, and write to Mr. Tilhnghast to pay them, as I go 
onboard the Warren this day, and Shall not be up again Soon. The 
Action brought against you by the Owners is Nonsuited, but expect 
they will bring another. One of the Owners told me if you had not 
gone out of Town as you did they Should have brought Seven Actions 
in behalf of the People. I think the People ought to be Settled with 
Soon and am much Surprized you did not Settle with them who came 
down to you on purpose. I think it stands you in hand to See it done 
Soon. 

If you can Mann the Sloop She will be Ready for you in about ten 
days and can Send her where you may go onboard her Safely, as I 
think the Owners of the Eagle will give you what trouble is in their 
power. 

I have had a number of Complaints from the people who you have 
Settled with and given Certificates for Prize Money, some on Mr. 



''See letter from Hopkins to Hancock, Nov. 8, 1776, in Part I. 

1 119) 



Sproat in Philada. and some on Mr. Tillinghast. Now I think you 
Should give them Certificates that they are Intitled to prize Money 
for Such a time in Such a Vessel, and not directed them to any Man 
who has no prize Money in his hands — and I am fully of the mind 
that it will be best for you or any other Ofi&cer in the Navy not to 
take or trouble themselves with any prize Money more then their 
Own — and that you dehver an Account of what men are Intitled to 
Prize Money in the Alfred and Providence to all the Agents you have 
had any Prizes got in to and let them pay the Money to the people. 

I am Sir Your humbl. Servt. 
E. H. 

To John Bradford Esqr. Providence Feby. nth 1777. 

Continental agent 
at Boston 

Sir 
I have of Late had many Complaints from the People Late of the 
Alfred that Captn. Jones Late of the Alfred before he would pay them 
Compels them to Sign a power of Agency to him — a practice which if 
true is by no means Justifyable. Inclosed you have a Copy of a 
Letter this day Sent to him, and Hkewise a power to you from four of 
the Men which I cannot but think in the Station you are in you 
Should give Some Attention to, and not olney for them, but the whole 
Ships Crew, So far as to keep the Money in your hands untill the 
People can be benefited by what they are justly intitled to. 

I am with Respect 

Sir Your humb Servt. 
E. H. 



To John Bradford Esqr. Providence Feby 12th 1777. 

Continental Agent 
at Boston 

Sir 
I receiv'd yours in Respect to Mr. Southouse — and have appHed 
to Captn. Hacker, Mr. Brown, Mr. Pitcher and Mr. Rathbum, and 

I 120 1 



they decline giving him any more of his property than he has already 
Received excepting his and his Familys Cloaths — So that it remains 
with you to Settle it in the best manner you can. I must request 
that you will be good enough to keep in your hands for me all my 
part of any Prizes that may be brought into your State. I am Sir 
Your humble Servt. 

E. H. 



Onboard the Warren near Providence 
To the Honble Feby. 14th 1777. 

Marine Committee 
at Baltimore 

Gentlemen 

I sent you a Copy of an Agreement Inclosed in a Letter of the 19th 
June Last, Sign'd by the ofl&cers and People belonging to the Fleet 
fitted out at Philada. — and as the time for which the Agreement was 
made is out, and the Men discharg'd, there is Hkely to be great 
Uneasiness among the Crews, whether they Shall divide the Prize 
Money according to the Agreement, or to the Ships Companys that 
took the Prizes — and as there has been a great many men Shipp'd 
Since, who did not Sign the Agreement there may be Some difficulty 
in keeping it Strictly. On the whole it makes So much Uneasiness 
that it is in a great measure the means of the Fleets not being mann'd, 
or at least a Considerable hindrance. I cannot but think if the 
Congress or the Marine Board, would give it as their Judgement that 
the Agreement Should be kept up to, or that there Should be no notice 
taken of it, but the Money divided to the Vessels Crews that took the 
Prizes. Your Judgement either way would have great Weight and 
perhaps prevent much dispute. 

Inclosed you have a Copy of Lieutt. Burroughs's Orders, ^o who has 
Mann'd the Hamden and will get on a Cruize the first Opportunity. 
I could get no Officer of higher Rank to take Charge of her, as she is 
look'd upon as a Slight Vessel. You likewise have a Copy of Captn. 
Olney's Orders^i who I expect will Sail from Boston in the Cabot in 
three or four days — and likewise Captn Hinman's Orders to take 



soPartI, Feb. 9, 1777. 



I121I 



Charge and get the Alfred out as soon as possible^^ — but j j^gg,! he is 
making Some alterations in the Ship, without any directions from me — 
but I hope they may be for the better. Captn. Jones I expect up 
here to take the Sloop Providence, which his Commission is for — 
and Captn. Hacker is trying to get hands for the Columbus, but at 
present She has none nor the Sloop but few. In the Ship Providence 
there is about no Men, and about 90 in the Warren. There is in the 
River below us two 50 and one 40 Gun Ships and eight Smaller 
Ships, besides Tenders — ^what may be the Event I at present can't 
tell, although if we could keep the Frigates mann'd, I think they could 
not hurt us much — but I find it difficult to get or keep men, when 
there is no prospect of any thing but fighting. 

I received your favour of the loth December Last^^ (b^t it did not 
come to hand untill after we were block'd up) which directed me to 
get the Ships out a Cruizing as soon as possible — ^but Since applying 
to Captn. Whipple, he Signified he had Orders from you, and Should 
take no directions from me. Should be glad to know from you, 
whether you expect me to direct their operations or not; for I desire 
no Command further than you Approve off — and whenever you 
think my Command is of no Service to the PubUck, I will not only 
agree, but in Justice to the Publick think you Should give the Com- 
mand to some man that can do more for the PubHck Benefit — although 
it would give me great Concern to be turn'd out for a Crime, it would 
give me none at all to be displaced for a better man in my Room — 
and Since there has been Some dispute with the Owners of the 
Privateers, caused by their too frequently getting the Men belonging 
to the Continent in their Privateers — I have not the Influence that 
I used to have, So that it is not in my power to do the same good that 
I could have done before that happen'd. 

This day about half past 3 OClock in the afternoon I receiv'd a 
message from Coll. Waterman, that a large Armed Schooner one of 
his Britannick Majestys Fleet was ashore on the Northern part of 
Prudence. I immediately put men out of the Warren onboard the 
Sloop Providence, and Dispatch'd her under the Command of Captn. 
John B. Hopkins — they got near her about Sun Sett, when the 
Schooners people put fire to and quitted her — and we Suppose by the 
time She blew up, that they had fixed a Train to go off about the 



82Part I, Jan. 15, 1777. 
83Part II, 63. 



{ 122 1 



time they expected our people to board her. However She is effectually 
destroyed which perhaps may make them more Cautious of coming 
where they are not well acquainted. I hear the Said Schooner was 
one built in England for the business. I am with great Respect 

Gentlemn. Your humb Servt. 
E. H. 

Onboard the Warren near Providence 
To the Hon. Feby. 14th 1777. 

Marine Committee 
At Baltimore 

Gentlemen 
The bearer Captn. Matthew Parke was first Lieutenant of Marines 
onboard the Alfred, and upon Captn. Shoemaker's leaving the Navy 
I put him onboard the Columbus and gave him Orders to Act as 
Captain of Marines, he being the oldest Lieutenant. In both 
Stations he has behaved as a good Officer, and think him worth your 
notice — and as Mr. Joseph Hardy is appointed by you Captn. of 
Marines onboard the Columbus — I have given him leave to come to you 
for further Orders, and hope you may Employ him to his Satisfaction. 
I am with great Regard 

Gentlemen your humble Servt. 
E. H. 

Warren, in Providence River Feby. 15th. 1777 

To Col. John Waterman 
Head Quarters Warwick 

Sir 
I receiv'd yours of the 13th instant about half past 3 OClock the 
Same Afternoon, and Immediately mann'd the Sloop and Sent my 
Son down in her — but before the Sloop got within Gun Shott they 
put fire to the Schooner which effectually destroyed her — I am 
extremely Oblig'd to you for the Intelligence given me, as by your 
means one of the Enemys Vessels is destroyed. 

I am with great Regard Sir your humble Servt. 

E. H. 
{123I 



Onboard the Warren Sunday afternoon 

To Edwd Southouse Esqr. 
at Providence 

Sir 
I receiv'd your Letter of this morning, with a List of your Effects 
&c Inclosed — and am not Surprized at the Contents as it came from 
a Lawyer. However you need not trouble me with any more of your 
applications I having wrote to Mr. Bradford fully in that matter, ^4 
that neither Captn. Hacker Mr. Brown, Mr. Pitcher nor Mr. Rath- 
burn would Consent to giving up any more Goods than you had 
already Receiv'd except you and your Familys wearing apparel; as 
all four of them has declar'd to me, and Captn. Hacker in your 
Hearing they would not — and if you have any thing more to Say to 
me on that matter, please to get it from under their hands, or else I 
shall do no more in the Affair — I am Sir 

Your humble Servt. 
E. H. 

Providence Feby. 12. 1777. 
To John P. Jones Esqr. 
Boston 

Sir 
I receiv'd your Favour of the 8th Current by John Robinson, and 
I can See no difl&culty in giving him a certificate for his Prize Money 
during his Service in the Fleet, as it only appears the Continent is in 
advance £11. . 14/ Penny Curry. Therefore it belongs to you to 
Certify that John Robinson is entitled to Prize Money, during the 
time of his Service in the Fleet mentioning at same time the Con- 
tinent is so much in Advance for him, which Sum the Continental 
Agent will of Course deduct from him when the Certificate is pro- 
duced, as no Prize Money will be paid without first producing a 
Certificate from the Captain he Last Sail'd with. It would Still be 
more proper to mention in his Certificate what Prizes he has been at 
the taking of. 

pr Order of Commr. Hopkins 
John Manley 
84Jan. 13, 23, 1777. Also letter to Southouse, Jan. 10, 1777. 

{124) 



Onboard the Warren Feby. 28th 1777. 
To Joseph Olney Esqr. 
Commander of the Brig Cabot 
Boston. 
Sir 
I have this day Receiv'd Orders from the Honble. Robert Morris 
Esqr. Vice President of the Marine Committee to put the Alfred 
Columbus, Cabot and Sloop Providence & Hamden under Capt. 
Jones's Command, to Execute a private Expedition. These are 
therefore to Request you, after you have Cruized Six Weeks as pr 
your former Orders, to Return to Boston and put the Cabot under 
his Command. 

I am Your humble Servt. 
E. H. 



Onboard the Warren between Provi- 
dence and Newport Feby. 28 1777. 

To the Honble Robert Morris Esqr 
Vice Presidt. of the Marine Committee 
at Philada. or Baltimore 

Sir 
I receiv'd yours of the 5th instt. respecting a private Expedition 
and now beg leave to inform you that before I receiv'd it the Hamden 
had Sail'd and the Cabot was under Sailing orders but I hear She was 
not got out Yesterday owing to Some Damage She Receiv'd in a Snow 
Storm in Boston harbour — a copy of their Orders I forwarded to the 
Honble Marine Board the 14th instant. The Columbus and Sloop 
Providence are here, and with but a few men onboard, and it is not 
likely they can be mann'd Soon. The Alfred is now under Repair 
and will not be fit for Service in less than Six Weeks or two months, 
and is Commanded by Capt EUsha Hinman by Virtue of your Com- 
mission, and it is more than I can take upon to displace him without 
your Orders for it. On the whole it is Impossible to mann and get 
those Vessels together Soon for any Expedition and from the number 
of Complaints I have had from the Officers and people Late under 
Captn. Jones's Command in Respect to his Conduct during the Last 



{i2s) 



Cruize, and Since he came home in Regard to both their wages and 
prize Money I am well Convinced that it will be more difficult to 
mann Vessels under his Command than to do it under any Officer of 
the Fleet that I am acquainted with and Necessity will Obhge me to 
wait for your further Orders Respecting the Expedition you have 
Order'd — and as Six Weeks time will be soon enough for the Alfred, 
I have thought best to let Captn. Olney cruize for Six Weeks to prevent 
his Men from deserting. Inclosed you have a Copy of my Letter to 
him for that purpose. I am with great Respect 

Sir Your humble Servt. 
E. H. 



Onboard the Warren between Newport and 
Providence February 28th 1777. 
To the Honble 
Marine Conmiittee 
at Baltimore. 

Gentlemen. 
I receiv'd yours of the 21st Jany.^s the 20th instant and Shall en- 
deavour to follow your Instructions as near as possible. My Last to 
you was by Captn. Parke of the 14th instt. with a copy of my Orders 
to Mr. Burroughs of the Flamden and Captn. Olney of the Cabot. 
I have had a Request from General Spencer to assist him in an attack 
on the Enemy at Rhode Island, and I expect soon to take onboard 
the Warren and Ship and Sloop Providence, Marines from the Army 
for the Service, as I think it the best use I can put those Vessels to in 
their present Circumstances. The Columbus has not more than 
about twenty men, including officers onboard — as to the old Men 
they have been all paid off, I beHeve to Satisfaction from the Colum- 
bus, Cabot and Sloop Providence, and Captn. Jones had the same 
Orders to pay the Alfreds men off and Orders on Agent Bradford for 
Money to do it, but I am sorry to say that I have had Several Com- 
plaints both from the Officers and Men, that he Refused to pay Some 
of them without they would first make him their Agent, and Sign 
Articles to go with him another Year. Inclosed you have a Copy of 
my Letter to him on that Subject of the nth instt. which I hope has 



85Part II, 66. 

{ 126 1 



had the desired ESect — the Columbus's People are paid their Prize 
Money, all except the New Providence affair which is not yet Settled, 
nor Can't be untill the Agents Receive a List of Captn Hallock of 
the Wasp's Crew,86 who are In titled to part of it. Captn. Hinman 
and the Crew of the Cabot have appointed a Separate Agent and 
neglects giving in to the Continental Agents a List of his men, how- 
ever I beUeve that matter could be got over, but Captains Whipple 
and Saltonstall have Attach'd the Prize Money in all the Agents 
hands under a pretence of the Agreement I mention'd to you in my 
Last, and I beHeve Agent Bradford has not yet Received the Money 
for the Clothing, and when he does I make no doubt but he will pay 
it — if he gets a Return of the Men who are are Intitled to it — a Copy 
of my Letter of the nth instant to him you have Inclosed, also Copy 
of a Letter from the Honble Robert Morris which I receiv'd this 
day and Hkewise my answer — and on the whole I think it not possible 
to put the Expedition on foot at present, therefore must beg for your 
further Instructions in that matter. Captain Jones has displeased 
the Officers and Men so much in Respect to paying their wages and 
Prize Money, that it will be a great deal more difficult to mann 
Vessels under his Command, than under any other Officer in the 
Navy that I am acquained with — and it will not be likely that the 
Columbus and Sloop Providence can be mann'd here, while the 
Harbour is block'd up — and when that is got over See no prospect of 
getting them out while the Enemys Ships keep at the mouth of this 
River — and as I wrote you in my Last the Alfred was Repairing, and 
by advice from Captn. Hinman She ^ill not be ready in less than Six 
Weeks or two months, I flatter myself that I may Receive your 
further Orders before the Vessels can be ready. What concerns me 
most is whether I should Stop the Cabot who met with some damage 
in a Gale of wind and had not Sail'd yesterday — but think should 
She be order'd to Stop while the other Vessels is ready, would loose 
most if not all her Hands — and on the whole think it will be best to 
write Captn. Olney to be back to Boston in six weeks. Inclosed you 
have a Copy of my Letter to Cap Olney for that purpose. 

I am with great Respect 

Gentl. Your most hble Servt. 
E. H. 



s^The Wasp parted from the fleet on the return from New Providence, and put 
into Philadelphia. 

I127I 



In Marine Committee Baltimore" 
Jany. 21st 1777. 
Sir 
You will please to See that the Wages are duly paid to the Seamen, 
and that the Prize Money due to them be paid to them by the Agent 
as punctually as Circumstances will admit to prevent murmurs 
among the Seamen. We have heard some Complaints for want of 
attention to the Seamen which Induces us to mention it to you. We 
wish to hear from you as often as possible and are Sir 

Your humble Servts. 

By order of Marine Comme. 
To Esek Hopkins Esqr. John Hancock Chairman 

Commanding the Continental Navy. 



Providence March ist 1777. 
Sir 
The above is Copy of a paragraph of an Order I receiv'd from the 
Honble Marine Board dated the 21st January, and in Consequence 
thereof I am to Request that if you have not, you Immediately pay 
the Remainder of the peoples Wages Lately under your Command, 
and likewise to Return to the Several Agents where you may have 
Sent prizes a Certificate Attested of all the Men belonging to the 
Ship Alfred and Sloop Providence while under your Command that 
are Intitled to Prize Money, together with a List of the Officers and 
the Core they are to Share in, and also the names of the most de- 
serving Seamen who are Intitled to the dead Shares agreeable to Orders 
of Congress — and you will likewise deliver either your Books of the 
Ship Alfred and Sloop Providence, or an attested Copy thereof to 
Agent Bradford as Soon as possible. 

I am Sir 

Your hble Servt. 
To John P. Jones, Esqr. E. H. 

Boston. 



8'The whole letter is in Part II, 66. 

1 128 ) 



Providence March ist 1777. 
To John Bradford Esqr. 
Continental Agent 
at Boston 

Sir 
The above is a paragraph of a Letter I receiv'd from the Honble 
Marine Board of the 21st Jany. Should be glad you would Send to 
Captn. Jones for a Regular List of his Men that are Intitled to Prize 
Money in her last Cruise, and of the Sloop Providence the Cruise 
before, in such a manner as to express the Officers names. Stations 
and the different Cores they are to Share in, and also the names of 
the most deserving Seamen who are Intitled to the ten dead Shares 
agreeable to the Resolve of Congress — and .1 shall Order Capt Hacker 
to do the Same for the last cruise of the Providence. I have wrote to 
Captn. Jones to Settle and leave the Books of both the Alfred's and 
sloop Providence's, which I hope you will be good enough to receive, 
and Should he neglect for any time Should be glad of a Line from you 
whether he does it or not. 

I am with great Respect 

Sir your humb Servt. 
E. H. 
P. S. Inclosed you have a Copy of my 
Letter of this date to John P. Jones Esqr. 

Onboard the Warren March 4th 1777. 

To the honble John Hancock Esqr. 

President of the Marine Committee 

at Baltimore. 

Gentlemen 
My Last was of the 28th Ulto. since which I receiv'd a Letter from 
Lieutt. Burroughs of the Hamden a Copy of which you have Inclosed, 
together with a Copy of the Agents and my Orders to Mr. Allen 
Brown in Consequence of it — this is the second time the Hamden has 
been fitted and mannd at a great Expence for the Sea, and I am realy 
afraid She is so weak that it will be difficult to get a Sett of Officers 
and Men that will Venture to go in her. I wrote you in my Last that 

{129I 



I expected to employ the Warren, Providence and Sloop Providence 
to assist General Spencer in a proposed Attack on Rhode Island, since 
which the Genl. has acquainted me that he was disappointed in some 
Troops which he expected to join him and has Order'd what Men he 
had put onboard the Warren &c to be put onshore, which is done — 
we are likely to remain in much the same Situation we have been in 
for some time. Mr. Marchant who is appointed a Delegate for this 
State will Set out for Congress in a few days by whom I shall give you 
all the Intelligence in my power, and propose to try some way if the 
Navy here can be brought into some better Regulations. 

I am with great Respect 

Gentlemen Your hble Servt. 
* E. H. 

Onboard the Warren March i. 1777. 
To John P. Jones Esqr. 
in Boston. 

Sir 
I receiv'd yours pr Express, and do absolutely think that it is 
Impracticable to get those Vessels mann'd and fitted for your proposed 
Expedition, and shall acquaint the Hon Marine Board with my 
Reasons 

I am Sir 

Your hble Servt. 
E. H. 
PS. If you have anything to communicate or to ] 
Apply to me for I am allways to be found \ 
onboard the Warren where you will be Safe J 

_ ^ »„ T^ Providence March 5th 1777. 

To Captn. Allen Brown o / / / 

at Swansey. 
Sir 
We receiv'd yours of yesterday pr Mr. Hopkins, and in answer 
thereto can only say that you must heave the Brig^s Keal out, 



88The Hampden. She was repaired. See letters to Hancock, March 18, April 8, 
1777, in Part I. 

{ 13° 1 



thoroughly examine and Survey her, and you must provide some 
House or place where the OflScers and People may be kept together 
while that is doing. If the Leak can be Stopp'd and you think She 
can be fitted for the Sea, would have you do it with all the dispatch 
possible. If the Brig is Condemn'd you must bring her here, or 
bring Some of the People here to carry the Sloop Providence down to 
take her Stores and people onboard. 

We are Sir 

Your humble Servts. 
Dl. TiUinghast 
Ezek Hopkins. 



Providence March 8th 1777. 
To the Hon John Hancock Esqr. 
Presidt. of the Hon Marine Committee 
at Baltimore 

Gentlemen 

My Last was of the 4th instant in which I acquainted you of the 
misfortune of the Hamden's Springing a Leak. She is now at Swansey 
heaving down in Order to find out the Leak. Inclosed you have a 
Copy of my Orders to Captn. Jones, Similar Ones I have given 
Captn. Hacker. You also have a Copy of my Letter to Mr. Bradford 
which was in Consequence of your Orders in Respect to Satisfying 
the Men, also a Copy of several Complaints which I have from time 
to time Received against Captn. Jones, and I have had a great number 
from the common people for his Refusing to pay their Wages without 
they would make him their Agent — and leaving Lieut Sanders in an 
Engagement with a Strange Ship without knowing what Strength 
she was, or going down to assist him — and indeed I have had so many 
Complaints against Captn. Jones that I should be glad of your direc- 
tions whether it will be best to call a Court Martial upon him or not, 
as I see no other way of Satisfying the Officers and People, and I am 
loth to take such a Step without your Orders for it. 

If you will permit me to give my Opinion, I think it would be for 
the Publick Service that you would appoint, or get appointed a Naval 
Board under you in Boston, or some place in New England with full 
power to order me or any other Ofiicer in the Navy on Such Duty as 

li3il 



they may think best and indeed with full power to direct in all Navy 
affairs, and Report to you as often as you direct — that or some other 
way which you may think best may prevent many Inconveniences 
which now arise frequently by the Alteration & disposition of the 
Enemy, or our own Navy from the time you give the Orders before 
they come to hand. 

I am with great Respect 

Gentlemen Your humbl Servt. 
E. H. 



Providence March 9th 1777 
To Joseph Olney Esqr. 
Commander of the Cabot 
— at Boston 

Sir 

I have in my hands a paragraph of a Letter from the Hon WiUiam 
Ellery Esqr. one of our Delegates in which he says Mr. Vesey has 
given a Scandalous Account of my behaviour on the 2nd January, 
by a Letter which he wrote to the Marine Committee in Respect to 
the affair of the Diamond Frigate when She was ashore to the South- 
ward of Warwick Neck.^s Should be glad if you will assist Mr. Lyon 
who I have Sent to him to get a true Account of what he wrote to the 
Marine Committee, and indeed all he knows of that affair & whether 
he is acquainted with the Channel so well as to know that the Ships 
could have gone down to the place where She was ashore with that 
Wind or not. And as you know the time Should be glad of your 
Opinion in Writing whether the Frigates could have got down that 
day or not. If Mr. Vesey Should Refuse to give Mr. Lyon a true 
Account of that matter, I have Order'd him here to answer such 
Questions as is Right, and you are to permit him to come accordiugly 

I am Sir Your humb Serv't. 
E. H. 



s^This story was influential in Hopkins' suspension from the service. Esek 
Hopkins' account of the incident is in a letter to William Ellery, March 13, 1777, 
in Part I. 

{132I 



rj^ M. 1, Tin-- 1 17 Providence March Qth 1777. 

To Abraham Whipple Esqr. 

Cominander of the Ship Providence 
Sir 
I received a Request from General Spencer to Stop any InteUi- 
gence from going to Newport by Water — these are therefore to direct 
that the Sloop Providence immediately go down and Anchor in some 
convenient place this Side of Conimicutt point, and Stop all Boats 
or other Craft from passing without General Spencer's Order for it 
as late as this day — ^it will be best to make the Men up to about 
forty, you may go in her yourself or send Mr. Pitcher to execute the 
above Orders. The Sloop will be as ready there as ever, to Act in 
Concert with the Fire Ship. 

• Sir 

Your humble Servt. 
E. H. 



To John B. Hopkins Esqr. 
Commander of the Warren 



Providence March 9th 1777. 



Sir 
You are hereby Requested to order your Barge mann'd and 
Equip'd, and put a good Officer in her, and Order her to Reconnoitre 
down the River as far as they can do it with Safety, and make his 
Rendezvous onboard the Sloop Providence whenever he thinks 
proper. She is to Stop any Boat or Craft, that may be going down 
the River without General Spencer's Orders as late as this day. 

I am Sir 

Your humble Servt. 
E. H. 

Providence March 9th. 1777. 
To Aid de Camp to General Spencer. 
Sir 
I receiv'd yours by General Spencer's Orders and am ready to 
Render what Service the Fleet can perform in that or any other 

I 133 } 



matter. Should be willing to know where the General thinks it best 
to place the Vessels under my Command to answer the proposed end. 

I am Sir 

Your humble Servt. 
E. H. 



Providence March 13th 1777. 

To the Hon William EUery Esqr. 
One of the Members of the Contl. Congress 
at Philada. or Baltimore 

Sir 
I saw a paragraph of your Letter to the Genl. Assembly in which 
you mention of a Story from Mr. Vesey which if true would have been 
greatly to my Scandal and likewise to the other Officers of the Navy 
that were in this place. I must beg your patience to hear the Cir- 
cumstances of that matter. I was onboard the Warren Jany 2nd 
near Fields point, the Ship Providence lay about a mile below, and 
the Sloop Providence against Patuxet. I receiv'd Intelligence by a 
man from Coll. Bowen then in Warwick that a Ship was aground 
near Warwick Neck — the man came onboard the W^arren a little 
after one OClock in the afternoon, Mr. Allen Brown was then onboard 
as Pilot (and he is one of the best in the River) he said the Wind 
was so far Westerly and blow'd so hard that the Ships could not be 
carried down. I took the Warrens pinnace with 22 Men, went 
onboard the Sloop Providence, and carried Mr. Brown our Pilot with 
me — ^when we came onboard the Sloop Captn. Whipple had just got 
onboard her with a number of Men. We immediately came to Sail, 
and run down with the Sloop, I did it chiefly to see what Situation 
the Ship was in, and when we got down found the Diamond ashore on 
a Shoal which runs off S. W from Patience about half a mile from that 
Island, and a little more S. E. from Warwick Neck and as there is 
about 1 1 feet Water at low water on that Shoal, and not very hard 
bottom & the tide about half down She did not Careen. There lay 
about a Mile and a half off about S W B S a 50 Gun Ship with her 
Top Sails Loose and her Anchor apeak which as the Wind was could 
have fetch'd within pistol Shott of the Diam.ond — the Wind blowing 

1 134 1 



so hard is I think the Reason of her not coming to Sail. The truth 
is the Ships could not have got down and if the Wind had not blow'd 
so hard and they could it would not have been prudent in my Judge- 
ment, neither Should I have Order'd them down as the Enemys Ships 
could have come to Sail with any Wind that we could and a great deal 
better as they Lay in a wide Channel, and we in a narrow and very 
Crooked one. So much for the Ships not going down. Now it 
remains to give you an Account of our proceedings after we got down 
in the Sloop. I went ashore at Warwick saw Colonel Bowen who told 
me he had Sent for two eighteen pounders, and in less than half an 
hour they came. I went onboard the Sloop and we drop'd down 
under the Ships Stem a little more than Musket Shott off it being 
then a Httle after Sun Sett. We fired from the Sloop a number of 
Shott which she Return'd from her Stern Chacers — the Ship Careen'd 
at Dusk about as much as she would have done had she been under 
Sail. After they had fired from the Shore about twenty Six Shott 
they Ceased, and soon after Hailed the Sloop and said they wanted 
to Speak with me. I went ashore and was inform'd they were out of 
Ammunition I offer'd them Powder and Stuff for Wads but we had 
no Shott that would do — they sent to Providence for Powder and 
Shott and I went onboard the Sloop and sent some Junk ashore for 
Wads. Soon after they Hail'd again from the Shore, and I went to 
See what they wanted, and gave Captn. Whipple Orders not to fire 
much more as I thot. it would do but little Execution it being night 
and could not take good aim with the Guns. When I got ashore the 
Officer that Commanded there desir'd that I would let them have 
some Bread out of the Sloop which I sent the Boat off for, but the 
people not making the Boat well fast while they were getting the 
Bread She drifted away and I could not get onboard again. The 
Ship by Lightening got off about 2 OClock the same Night, and 
on the whole as the Ship was on a Flat almost under Cover of a 
50 Gun Ship and got off again before it was possible to have done 
anything with the Frigates I thought it of no moment untill I saw 
your Letter to our General Assembly — upon which I sent my Secretary 
to Boston to know how Such a Report could have been raised & 
inclosed is Mr. Veseys Answer. This is all I shall Say in the matter. 
We are now block'd up by the Enemy's Fleet, the Officers and Men 
are uneasy — however I shall not desert the Cause, but I wish with all 
my heart the Hon Marine Board could and would get a Man in my 

1 135) 



Room that would do the Country more good than it is in my power 
to do for I entered the Service for its good and have no desire to keep 
in it to the disadvantage of the Cause I am in. 

You may if you think proper Show this Letter to the Honble 
Marine Board or any other Persons as you may See fit. 

I am with Esteem 

Sir Your most obedt hble Servt. 

E. H. 



Providence March 13th. 1777. 

To the Honble WilHam EUery Esqr. 
Member of the Cont Congress 
at Philada. or Baltimore 

Sir 

The bearer Lieutt. Rathbun waits on you with this he has Served 
since the Fleet went from Philadelphia there being no Vacancy 
whereby I could promote him agreeable to his Merits — ^if there Should 
be any Vacancy with you I can Recommend him as a man of Courage 
and I believe Conduct, and a man that is a Friend to his Country — 
and I believe the most of the Success Capt Jones has had is owing to 
his Valour and good Conduct, he is likewise of a good Family in 
Boston — any Service you may do him will be Serving the Cause — 
he is able to give you some Account of Captn. Jones's Conduct which 
you may give credit to. 

Inclosed you have a Copy of a Vote of our General Assembly — 
whether anything will be done in Consequence of it is uncertain as 
yet — if Men SuJQ&cient comes in I think General Spencer will make an 
attempt on Rhode Island. 

I am with Esteem 

Sir Your most humble Servt. 
E. H. 

N B. A Copy of the above Letter (except the latter part) 
was sent by Lieutt. Rathbun to the hon. John Hancock Esqr. 
Presidt. of the Marine Committee. 

SI. Lyon. 
I 136 1 



Providence March 15th. 1777. 

To Nathaniel Shaw junr. Esqr. 
Continental Agent 
in New London 

Sir 
It appears by Lieutt. Phipps's Account from Captn Hinman that 
he is not paid for his Service longer than from the time he went to do 
duty onboard the Cabot, but as he was in the Service and did duty 
onboard the Providence Sloop before I think it will be right for you 
to pay him what may be due to him from the time he Enter'd into 
the Service untill the time he went onbd. the Cabot, but as I have not 
the Enlistments I cant at present undertake to tell what Sum. 

I am Sir Your humble Servt. 
E. H. 

Providence March i8th 1777 
To the Hon. John Hancock Esqr. 
Presidt. of the Marine Committee 
at Philadelphia or Baltimore. 

Gentlemen 
My Last to you was by Lieutt. Rathbun of the 8th instant — Since 
which I hear the Cabot has Sail'd with as many men as Captn. Olney 
would carry. I have had an Account from Swansey that the Hamden 
will be soon Repair'd, the defect was in the after part of her Keel I 
hope soon to get her out as her Crew keeps by her. The Warren is 
now against Patuxet with 112 Officers and men onboard — the Provi- 
dence about 130 — the Columbus about 20— and the Sloop Providence 
but a few. The Alfred is Repairing fast at Boston, and Captn. 
Hinman informs me that he has the most of his Men Shipp'd. I this 
day spoke with an Officer belonging to the Lady Washington Priva- 
teer, who got into Salem last Week. She took a Ship about the 20th 
Jany last from London bound to St. Christophers, who SaiFd from 
England in Company with 18 Transports with Hessian Troops 
onboard under Convoy of the Glascow man of War, bound to 
Jamaica, but Suppose to be designed for New York in the Spring. 
General Spencer has fail'd of getting a Sufficient Force to attack the 

{ 137 1 



Enemy at Rhode Island; which I suppose is owing to an Uneasiness 
there is between the Gentlemen of this Town, and the Country 
People — on account of the high prices of Goods. I could heartily 
wish that those people who have made Fortunes by this dispute, 
would use their Interest for the Publick Good. 

I have lately understood by two or three Officers of the Ship 
Warren, who came Voluntarily to me; that they had been Induced 
to Sign some paper or Petition greatly to my Disadvantage ;9o which 
they were perswaded to by some of the Gentn. of this Town, I suppose 
the Owners of the Privateers, who I am sorry to Say are greatly 
prejudiced against me, since I endeavoured to get an Embargo laid 
upon Privateering in order that the Continental Ships might be 
mann'd. And as for Captn. Grannis who I understand is gone to you 
with it, I am well perswaded he never has been onboard the Ship 
three nights together, nor I believe ten days this five months past — 
and all that he can have against me as we are entire Strangers, is that 
after several times desiring him to go onboard and do his duty, as 
the ship was Hable to be attack'd at any time; I at last threaten'd 
to break him and get another man in his Room if he did not — upon 
which he went onboard but staid only two nights — and this single 
thing must Convince every Impartial Person, that for an Officer of a 
Ship to leave her without the knowledge of the Captain or Lieutenant, 
When She was in danger of being Attack'd every day being within ten 
miles of Some, & twenty of ten or twelve Men of War, some of them 
Stronger than her, two hours fair Wind would have brought them along 
Side; and to go such a Journey without first endeavouring to Remedy 
the Evil if there was any, cannot be a Friend to his Country, but must 
act upon some private View, which I make no doubt he did to Serve some 
of the men perhaps that made him, much in the same manner as they 
finished the Ships, who have cost your Agent near if not quite £4000— 
which was absolutely Necessary for them before they could be ready 
for the Sea — and that you will Soon be Convinc'd off by his Accounts, 
which he says you will have Soon — and they are near if not double the 
Prices first Contracted for, owing to some of the very Committee that 
built the Ships, taking the Workmen and the Stock agreed for, off to 
work and fitt their Privateers; and even threatening the Workmen 
if they did not work for them. I am very willing to come to you to 



90This petition was dated Feb. 19, 1777, and was the chief cause of Hopkins' 
dismissal. See Introduction. 

{138 1 



answer for my Conduct with such of the Committee who built the 
Ships as I could name — but not with the poor men who only Acted 
as Machines to a Sett of Men who I wish I could Say I thought had 
any other principle but Avarice — and it would have been full as well 
if some of the Officers had brought in such Accounts for Enlisting 
Men, that they might have been Settled with on any other Terms, 
but Signing that Paper against me. And it will be well if you dont 
find them Extravagant, as the Committee did not chuse to pay them, 
but gave em orders on the Agent for the Money. Inclosed you have a 
Copy of one of the Officers accounts — and I believe you will find in the 
Committees Account whenever it comes to hand, another large Sum 
and all for Enhsting men; but few of whom ever came onboard the 
Ships, though I can't Say they did not go onboard the Privateers. 
Whenever I am call'd for I think I can Speak the Truth, and not 
Stab a man in the dark. 

What the purport of the Complaint which Capt Grannis may have 
brought is, I do not know, but as the Men that Sign'd it know but 
Uttle, and are worth less as Sailors, all I shall say more is to Inclose a 
Copy of what three of them Voluntarily Sign'd being conscious they 
had done wrong. 

This one thing I can Say, and with Truth, that I engag'd in this 
dispute on no other design than to Serve my Country — and I still am 
determined not to desert the Cause — ^but whenever you or the Con- 
gress think you can get a man in my Room that will be of more 
Service to the Cause than I can, You have my Leave, and in Justice 
to the Country I think you ought to do it — and I shall still continue 
to do what good I can, in a less Envy'd and less troubleSome way. 

I am with great Regard 

Gentlemen Your most humb Servt. 

E. H. 

In Marine Committee Baltimore Jany 21st. 1777 

To Esek Hopkins Esqr. 
Commandg the Contl. Navy 

Sir 

"You Tvill please to See that the Wages are duly paid to the Seamen, 
and that the Prize Money due to them, be paid to them by the Agent 

{ 139 1 



as punctually as circumstances will admit to prevent Murmurs among 
the Seamen, which induces us to mention it to you. We wish to hear 
from you as often as possible, and are 

Sir Your hble Servants 

By order of Marine Comme. 

John Hancock Chairman. 

Providence April 7th. 1777. 
To Leonard Jarvis Esqr. 

Agent in Bedford 

The above is Copy of an Order I receiv'd from the Marine Board — 
in Consequence of which I am to request that you will endeavour to 
pay the people's Shares as soon as in your power. Should any Im- 
pediment tend to hinder it should be glad of the Favour of a Line 
from you to know if it is in my power to Remove it. 

I am Sir Your humble Servt. 
E. H. 



Providence April 8th 1777.3^ 
To the Hon. John Hancock 
Presidt. of the Marine Committee 
at Philada. 

Gentl. 
Herewith you have Copies of two Court Martials on two Officers 
belonging to the Warren,^^ which you will approve of or Disanull as 
you think proper. The ships are much in the same Situation as they 
were in when I wrote you last. The Hamden is Repaired, mann'd 
and ready for Sea, though at present the Situation of the Enemys 
Ships are Such that it is a doubt whether She can get out. The 
Sloop Providence is nearly mann'd under the Care of Lieutt. Pitcher, 
and shall try to get her out soon. The Situation of the Ships are more 
Critical now than they ever have been, although I make not much 
doubt but we can defend them by Sea, but should the Enemy get 



3^The first draft of this letter is in the Hopkins Papers, v. 2, 51. 

^That of Richard Marvin, third lieutenant of the Warren, is in Part II, 72. 

I 140 ) 



possession of the Land it will not then be in our power to do it — and 
at present things here have a bad prospect — the Sea Coast and 
Providence in particular, is almost without people to defend them — 
the Militia refuse to come in on Account of the high prices of Goods, 
and the low Wages the State gives them — and the principal Men 
that have made Fortunes by privateering, have bought Estates back 
in the Country, and have and are now moving away, which must 
leave the Town in a defenceless Situation. 

There is a great uneasiness with the late Crews of the Alfred and 
Sloop Providence, occasion'd by Captn. Jones's going away and not 
leaving proper Muster Rolls, or rather none, as he did not Sign those 
he left. The Agents think they have no Guide to divide the Money 
by — ^it may be for the good of the Service that you order Capt. Jones 
to do it soon, or that you Impower some of the other Officers to do it. 

I hope I shall not give offence by mentioning once more the nec- 
essity there is of fixing Commissioners of the Navy or some people 
with full power under you over the Naval Affairs in these parts — 
and in that Case there will be no necessity of any Officer in the Station 
I now beards — and I shall be well pleased whenever the business can 
be better done without my Sustaining the Office I now do. 

If you think proper you will send a Commission for Lieutt. Bur- 
roughs to Conmiand the Hamden, and if Captn. Jones does not come 
to take Charge of the Sloop Providence think it will be best to give 
Lieutt. Pitcher a Commission for her. 

I am Gentlemn. 

Your humbl Servt 
E. H. 

Providence April nth. 1777.^^ 
To Sir Peter Parker 
Commr. in chief of the British Ships 
at Newport 

Sir 

You will excuse the freedom I take when you may be assured it is 
nothing but humanity induces me to request your assistance to the 



s^Hopkins had already been suspended by a resolution of Congress, March 26, 
but he had not received the news. 

94The first draft of this letter is in the Hopkins Papers, v. 2, 51. 

1 141) 



bearer Mrs. Mary Briggs^^ of White Haven, to get a passage by the 
first opportunity home, as she is a GentleWoman that has behaved 
well under hard Misfortunes and a long Captivity which she has gone 
through with patience and Fortitude — and when She comes to 
Newport perhaps will be an Entire Stranger. Some Httle part of 
your known humanity will not be misplaced on so deserving a person. 

I am 
Sir Your humble Servant 
E. H. 



Providence April 20th 1777. 
To the Hon Willm. Ellery Esqr. 
Member of the Contl Congress 
at Philada. 

Sir 

I receiv'd your esteem'd Favour of Town Meeting day, just time 
enough to get chose a deputy for this Town,^^ — had I receiv'd it a 
Week sooner perhaps I might have been at the Head of the Prox. 
Altho' I have lost the Interest of a parcel of mercenary Merchants 
Owners of Privateers, I do not think I have lost it in the Major part of 
this State. I heartily wish the Fleet may do well in the way you have 
directed it. I am obHged to you for your advice to Continue a 
Friend to my Country, and you may depend I shall, should I have a 
few Friends in it. Neither do I expect to remain Inactive. 

I can assure you it gives me great Satisfaction that in my own 
Judgement I have done everything in my power (or would have been 
in any other mans power in my place) for the Service of my Country. 
One thing I must ask, and shall think I am not well us'd if it is not 
Granted. That is an Attested Copy of a paper or Petition Sign'd by 
some of the Ship Warrens Officers, and perhaps some other men to 
the Hon. Marine Board, or to Congress.^" Should it be in your 



85See Part II, 54, 55, 73, for additional correspondence in regard to Mrs. Briggs. 

^^North Providence. The region where Esek Hopkins lived is now a part of 
Providence. 

3^0n May 14, 1777, Congress voted that a copy be made for Hopkins. Hopkins 
did not receive it until fall. See Part II, 75. 

1 142 ) 



power to obtain it please to send it soon — if not, please let me know 
the Reason why I am not to be allow'd it — and you will much oblige 

Sir 
Your Real Friend 
E. H. 



North Providence July 4th 1777. 
To Henry Marchant Esqr. 
Member of the Hon. Contl. Congress — 
at Philada. 

Sir 
I wrote to Mr. Ellery some time ago for the Petition or Complaint 
against me, but he did not get it for me. These are to desire you to 
get and send to me, an Attested Copy of all the Complaints against 
to Congress or to the Marine Board, if it is in your power to procure 
them — ^if not, please to let me know the reason I can't have them, 
and you will oblige. 

Sir 

Your humble Servt. 
E. H. 



{143I 



SUBSCRIBERS TO REVOLVING 
PUBLICATION FUND 



Edwin A. Burlingame 
Charles D. Kimball 
Howard W. Preston 
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Charles Warren Lippitt 
Harold R. Curtis 
Edward K. Aldrich, Jr. 
William Davis Miller 
Paul C. Nicholson 
Harald W. Ostby 
William C. Dart 
Thomas G. Hazard, Jr. 
Edmund B. Delabarre 
Wilfred H. Munro 
Henry D. Sharpe 
Charles A. C alder 
Henry C. Dexter 
Charles D. Cook 
William B. Greenough 
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Walter F. Angell 
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Stephen 0. Metcalp 



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Thomas Z. Lee 
John S. Holbrook 
Gorton T. Lippitt 
John Nicholas Brown 
Charles J. Davol 
Joseph W. Freeman 
Frederick S. Peck 



{ 144 1 



PERSONS 



Adams, John 6, 7, 29 

Allen, John 99 

Ambrose, Israel 84 

Arnold, 84 

Arwin, Thomas 47> 50 

Ayres, Captain iii, 114 

B. P 12 

Babcock, Henry ' 51 

Barron, loi 

Bennet, Abel 99 

Biddle, Nicholas 23, 26, 53, 55, 58, 63, 69, 70, 71, 73, 75, 76, 79, 81, 95 

Bowden, Captain 9S> 97 

Bowen, Colonel 134, 135 

Bradford, John, 67, 70, 71, 83, 86, 89, 95, 96, 103, 104, 105, 108, 109, no, in, 112, 
113, 116, 120, 124, 126, 127, 128, 129, 131. 

Braymonr, Joseph 99 

Bridge, Job 99 

Briggs, Mary 142 

Brown, 67, 69, 84, 107, 120, 124 

Brown, Allen 53, 129, 130, 134 

Brown, Moses 8 

Brown, Nicholas 82 

Browne, Montfort 47, 50, 54 

Burges, Tristam 8 

Burgess, George 99 

Burroughs, Ezekiel 117, 121, 126, 129, 141 

Cane, Peter 102 

Chace, Captain f loi 

Chadsey, William 99 

Chew, Samuel 78 

Clymer, 12 

Collins, John 60, 61 

Cooke, Nicholas. . . .7, 8, 9, 10, n, 12, 26, 32, 46, 51, 59, 60, 65, 99, 100, loi, 103 

Cranston, 112, 114 

Cranston, Charles 114 

Creetman, 99 

Cushing, Thomas 93 

{145I 



Dartmouth, Earl of 12,13 

Deane, Silas 6, 1 7 

Dement, James 73 

Demiis, Captain 85, 86 

Donehoe, Thomas 89 

Douville, Peter 77 

Dunmore, Lord 17, 76, 79 

Dunn, 69 

Dunscome, 84 

Earle, 93 

Elden, Charles 77 

Ellery, William 37, 95, 132, i34, 136, 142, 143 

Erlom, Samuel 89 

Falconer. Captain 97, 98 

Field, Captain 93, 104 

Field, Edward 9, 10, 11, 33, 35, 94 

Fitzpatrick, Lieutenant 48 

Fones, Daniel 99 

Foster, Theodore 22 

Frazer, 84 

Gadsden, Christopher 6, 1 7 

Gardner, 45 

George III 99 

Goddard, 82 

Gordin, Philip 102 

Grannis, John 34, 138, 139 

Greene, Nathanael 74 

Greene, Thomas 11, 12, 13, 22 

Grinnel, Lieutenant 71 

Hacker, Hoysteed. . . .31, 51, 66, 68, 72, 75, 78, 79, 80, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 91, 92, 

loi, 107, 120, 122, 124, 129, 131. 

Haliock, Captain : 127 

Hamilton, Lieutenant 118 

Hancock, John 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34, 48, 52, 56, 62, 67, 73, 76, 

78, 80, 81, 82, 87, 90, 92, 94, 98, 102, 104, 119, 128, 129, 130, 131, 136, 

137, 140. 

Harding, Captain 81 

Hardy, Joseph 105, 106, 1 23 

Hawkings, Henry 77 

Hazard, John , 25, 56, 62, 109, 115 

Hewes, Joseph 6,17 

Hillegas, 12 

Hinman, Elisha. . . .22, 23, 46, 51, 52, 57, 58, 71, 72, 76, 94, 96, 103, 108, 109, no, 

III, 114, 115, 116, 118, 121, 125, 127, 137. 

{146) 



Hinson, Joseph 45 

Hollingsworth, 58, 59, 60, 68 

Hopkins, Esek, Jr 103, 104, 105 

Hopkins, John 8 

Hopkins, John Burroughs 21, 52, 71, 122, 133 

Hopkins, Samuel 8, 10, 82 

Hopkins, Stephen 6, 7, 8, 9, 17, 22, 24, 53, 66, 80 

Hopkins, William 8 

House, Lieutenant 76 

Howard, Benjamin 99 

Howe, Admiral 77, 78 

Howe, General 77, 84 

Howe, Tyringham 20 

Ingersol, Andrew 73 

Jacklyn, William / 99 

Japes, William 99 

Jarvis, Leonard 98, 105, 106, 140 

Jenckes, 11, 106 

Jenckes, John 53 

Jenckes, Rufus 1 1, 53 

Jennings, Captain 46 

Jones, John Paul. .12, 13, 31, 35, 57, 66,67, 7o, 71, 72, 75, 86, 88, 89, 90,91,92,93, 

97, 104, 105, 109, no, 112, 113, 114, 116, 119, 120, 122, 124, 125, 126, 

127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 136, 141. 

Josiah, James 69, 78 

Joyce, John 99 

King, Arthur 99 

Knies, Michael 112,114 

Knox, 77 

Lambert, J 102 

Langdon, John 6, 89, 95, 97, 105 

Langdon, O. W 96 

Lawrence, 75 

Lee, Charles : 9, 10 

Lee, Richard Henry 6 

Lenn, William 102 

I-incoln, General 106 

Little, Colonel 74 

Loushir (negro) 94 

Lyon, Samuel 17, 37, lOQ, ''^32, 136 

McCandless, Byron 13 

McDougall, Lieutenant 79 

1 147) 



Manley, John 86, 93, 124 

Marchant, Henry 130, 143 

Marvin, Richard 33> 34, 35> 36, 140 

Merre, Joseph 103 

Morris, Robert 125, 127 

Mumford, Gideon 11, 12, 13, 22 

Mumford, Nathaniel 11, 12, 13, 22 

Mumford, Thomas in, 114, 115, 116 

Munro, Captain 81 

Nash, William 114 

Neeser, R. W 11. 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 21, 53, 69 

Nicholas, Captain 47, 49, 50, 73 

Niles, Captain 54 

Olney, Joseph 91, 108, 109, no, in, 118, 121, 125, 126, 127, 132, 137 

Parke, Matthew 1 23, 1 26 

Parker, Peter 107, in, 114, 141 

Parsons, Edmund 73 

Percy, Lord 109 

Phipps, David 71, 115, 137 

Pierce, 102 

Pitcher, Jonathan 76, 120, 124, 133, 140, 141 

Plants, John 95 

Ralph, David 99 

Rathbun, Lieutenant 136, 137 

Rathbum, 1 20, 1 24 

Reed, James 71, 72, 103, no 

Reed, John ^^ 

Regett, Richard 114 

Relf , Robert 102 

Revelys, Edward 118 

Richards, •. 118 

Richards, George 37 

Richardson, 58, 59, 60, 68 

Richmond, Colonel 74 

Robinson, John 1 24 

Russel, 106 

Salter, 84 

Saltonstall, Dudley 13, 26, 27, 63, 64, 71, 74, 76, no, 115, 127 

Saunders, Lieutenant 131 

Sceaner, William 102 

Seymour, Sinclair 48 

Shaw, 33, 34 

I148I 



Shaw, Nathaniel 23, 29, 52, 53, 58, 59, 63, 64, 68, 72, 76, 78, 79, 81, 85, 115, 

116, 137. 

Shaw, Samuel 35 

Shields, Joseph 71 

Shoemaker 1 23 

Smith, Captain 116 

Southouse, Edward 107, 112, 120, 124 

Spears, J. R 7, 8 

Spencer, General 119, 126, 130, 133, 136, 137 

Spooner, Walter 60, 64, 76, 97, 98 

Springer, Durfy 99 

Sproat, David 1 13, 1 20 

Staples, W. R 10 

S3mionds, Captain 77 

Talbot, Silas 22 

Tiley, Samuel '. 71 

Tillinghast, Daniel 93, 106, 107, 116, 119, 120, 131 

Trevett, Lieutenant 19 

Tnmibull, Jonathan 10, 23, 24, 46, 49, 52, 54, 58, 59, 61, 65, 80, 81, 83, 85 

Tucker, 119 

Updike, Daniel E 37 

Vantzantz, Jacobus 68 

Vesey, 132, 134, 135 

Wall, 84 

Wallace, 48, 50, 55 

Wanton, Dragoon (negro) 94 

Wanton, Surinam (negro) 94 

Ward, General 26 

Ward, Samuel 10, 1 1 

Warner, 69 

Warner, Captain 73 

Washington, George. . . .5, 6, 9, 10, 21, 22, 49, 51, 52, 54, 55, 56, 57, 61, 63, 77, 78 

Waterman, John 122, 123 

Weaver, Lieutenant 47, 49, 89, 90 

Weldale, Benjamin 99 

West, William 9> 10 

Whipple, Abraham. . . .9, 10, 11, 12, 21, 24, 26, 27, 56, 68, 70, 73, 74, 76, 81, 83, 
96, 97, 105, 106, 114, 115, 122, 127, 133, 134, 135. 

Williams, Captain 62 

Wilson, Lieutenant 48 



{149I 



VESSELS 



Active 98 

Actron 114 

Aimable Marie 77 

Alfred. ... 12, 13, 14, 18, 20, 21, 23, 27, 31, 44, 46, 48, 49, S^-, 52, 53, 55, 57, 58, 60, 

61, 62, 66, 71, 72, 76, 79, 80, 82, 83, 85, 87, 88, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 98, 103, 

104, 105, 108, 109, no, 112, 113, 116, 118, 120, 122, 123, 125, 126, 127, 

128, 129, 137, 141. 
Andrew Doria. ... 11, 14, 18, 23, 26, 40, 41, 53, 55, 58, 61, 62, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 75, 

79, 94. 

Black Prince 12 

Bolton 20 

Cabot. ... 14, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 41, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 55, 57, 58, 60, 61, 62, 66, 

71, 72, 74, 76, 88, 89, 90, 92, 94, 96, 97, 103, 108, 109, no, in, 115, 118, 

121, 125, 126, 127, 132, 137. 

Cerberus 71, 73, 78, 81 

Christianna 45 

Columbus. ... II, 14, 18, 21, 24, 27, 40, 41, 48, 50, 55, 60, 61, 62, 66, 68, 70, 71, 72, 

73, 74, 76, 79, 81, 82, 85, 90, 91, 92, 94, 97, 98, 102, 103, 105, 106, 109, 

115, 122, 123, 125, 126, 127, 137. 

Dawson's Brig 90 

Diamond 132, 134 

Eagle 93. 119 

Endeavor 20, 46, 55 

Ester 88, 89 

Fly II, 14, 18, 19, 20, 23, 24, 41. 42, 47, 49, 50, 52, 55, 58, 66, 67, 68, 71, 72, 75. 

Glasgow 20, 21, 24, 25, 48, 49, 50, 62, 137 

Greyhound 112 

Hampden. ... 75, 76, 79, 80, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 90, 91, 92, 97, 98, 102, 117, 
119, 121, 125, 126, 129, 130, 131, 137, 140, 141. 



150) 



Hawke 20, 48, 50 

Hornet 14, 18, 19, 20, 41, 47, 49, 50 

Tndependance 79 

Katy (see also Providence) 9, 10, 14 

Lady Washington 137 

Lord Sifford 95 

Mellish 105 

Orpheus 114 

Phoenix 77 

Providence (ship) 42, 63, 96, 102, 122, 126, 130, 133, 134, 137 

Providence (sloop) 9, 14, 18, 19, 25, 31, 41, 55, 56, 57, 61, 62, 66, 67, 70, 71, 

72, 86, 89, 90, 91, 92, 98, loi, 102, 108, 109, no, 112, 113, 122, 125, 126, 

127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 133, 134, 137, 140, 141. (See also Katy.) 

Royal Exchange 89, 95, 97, 105 

Savage 90 

Surprize 112 

Tamor 114 

Trumbull , 115 

Warren. . . .33, 34, 63, 100, loi, 102, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, in, 114, 119, 
121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 130, 133, 134, 137, 138, 140, 142. 

Wasp 14, 18, 19, 20, 41, 47, 49> 50, 127 

Wentworth 8 



liSi) 



